Our Prothrombin Time with INR (PT/INR) Test measures how long it takes for your blood to form a clot (coagulate). Anticoagulants (anti-clotting medications) change the way your blood clots. Warfarin is a commonly prescribed anticoagulant, or blood thinner, that prevents blood from clotting. Anticoagulant therapy must be carefully monitored to make sure the dosage is right for the patient; otherwise, severe and persistent bleeding or excessive blood clotting (hypercoagulation) can occur.
What is tested?
Coagulation is the process by which a blood clot is formed, and it involves multiple substances in the body called clotting factors. This process requires prothrombin, a blood protein produced in the liver that is needed for the normal clotting of the blood. A PT (prothrombin time) test is a blood test used to measure how long it takes your blood to clot. PT test results are often presented as a ratio known as INR (international normalized ratio). The INR is a standardized value that is consistent across all laboratories worldwide. This means your INR value has a scale that is accepted and understood by all healthcare professionals.
The body’s natural reaction to form blood clots to stop bleeding is a healthy response when there is damage to a blood vessel. Your body protects itself from excessive bleeding by forming a clot to seal over an injury. Blood clots can also form when they aren’t needed and cause serious medical issues like a heart attack or stroke. Blood clots can be dangerous; anticoagulants (anti-clotting medications) may be used to treat and prevent blood clots from forming in the blood vessels and heart. Warfarin (also known as a blood thinner) is an anticoagulant medication that makes the blood less likely to form clots by blocking the formation of vitamin K–dependent clotting factors. Vitamin K is needed to help your blood clot and prevent bleeding. Warfarin interferes with vitamin K and makes your blood clot more slowly.
If you are taking warfarin to prevent blood clots from forming, a PT/INR Test may be recommended to check whether the medication is working. If you are not taking blood thinning medication, a PT/INR Test may also be used to check for bleeding or clotting disorders, vitamin K deficiency (low levels of vitamin K in the blood), or liver disease.
Eligibility
Our hCG Pregnancy Test is for women who want to determine the absence or presence of hCG hormone to confirm pregnancy. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.
Preparing For Your Test
You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. Fasting is not required for this test.
After The Test
When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. If your results differ from the expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.
