Home-Use Tests - Prothrombin Time
What does this test do?
This is a home-use test kit to measure how long it takes for
your blood to clot.
What type of test is this?
This is a quantitative test -- you find out the length of time
it takes your blood to clot.
Why should you do this test?
If you take blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin or Warfarin,
you may need to test you blood regularly to make sure it clots
properly. Doctors often prescribe these drugs to prevent blood
clots in patients who have artificial heart valves, irregular
heart beats or inherited clotting tendencies. Your doctor will
prescribe this test for you if you need to do it.
How often should you do this test?
You should follow your doctor's instructions about how often
you do this test. Your doctor may ask you to use the results to
adjust the amount of drugs you to take to control your blood clotting.
Never change the drugs you take without your doctor's permission.
How do you do this test?
You prick your finger with a lancet to get a drop of blood. Place
the drop of blood on a test strip or cartridge, and insert it
into your test meter. Your meter will measure how long it takes
for the blood to form a clot and how much anticoagulant effect
there is.
How can you make sure your meter works properly?
Your meter has some built-in features that allow it to test
itself and detect problems in its operation. Your meter comes
with sample solutions to use instead of your blood to assure that
it is working properly. Look in your meter's operator manual to
see how to check on its accuracy.
Take your meter with you to your doctor's office. Have your doctor
watch you do your testing. Your doctor may want to take a sample
of your blood and compare the clotting time of that sample with
the time your meter gives. If the value you get matches your doctor's
value, that you will know your meter is working well and that
you are doing the test correctly.
Where can you get more information about blood clotting and measuring
prothrombin time?
Back to Consumer Information
on Home-Use Tests
Page Updated 2/1/2003
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