Fingerprick INR test anywhere?

[Gus 97]

I am on Warfarin and when on holiday I would like to get my INR tested with a fingerprick test, is there anywhere in Pattaya which does this test?

When I was in Hua Hin a year ago I had a sample of blood taken and the nurse seriously struggled to find a vein to take a sample.

[Gawd Elpus 798]

I am on Warfarin and when on holiday I would like to get my INR tested with a fingerprick test, is there anywhere in Pattaya which does this test?

When I was in Hua Hin a year ago I had a sample of blood taken and the nurse seriously struggled to find a vein to take a sample.

 

I am the same as you. Last time I went for the test at PI in Pattaya, they did not have the machine, which is instant and simple. They did a conventional blood test and charged me accordingly. I dont think they have them yet, as a friend of mine recently visited and wanted to check his level

 

Maybe one of the Bangkok hospitals use them ? Alcohol, or forgetting to take Warfarin, is the problem when on holiday. Unfortunately the machines themselves are very expensive, even though not much bigger than a credit card machine. I will ask about for you

 

Do you carry a tag with you, just in case of an accident ??

Edited October 16, 2014 by Gawd Elpus

[redwood13 56]

During my 6 years on Warfarin while in Thailand I only had testing done by conventional venipuncture. That would include Bumrungrad in Bangkok, Phyathai Siracha Hosp., as well as Pattaya Memorial and Pattaya Inter. on Soi 5. Has never occurred to me to wear a tag, though not a bad idea.

 

-redwood

[Gus 97]

I don't carry a tag, I guess I should get one, I have my Warfarin card in my wallet at all times. Last year in Hua Hin the clinic charge was not very high, they send the result next day by e-mail, I am guessing at the charge but it may have been 350thb. Fortunately the liberal quantities of beer I drank on holiday did not affect the INR reading. :)

 

I think those Roche coagulant readers are about £250 to buy on Ebay, but the strips are very expensive and not easy to obtain.

[Grandpollo 366]

Go to the Lifelabs lab off 3rd road just north of the overpass and before Soi 17/3rd road, on the water side of 3rd road. It is a 10 minute walk from the RG.

 

There is a huge Laundry Express sign on the corner (on 3rd road) and it is only 1/2 a block in from that sign on 3rd road.

 

This test they can probably do while you wait but you can come back an hour or 2 later.

 

Very inexpensive. They do complete STD checkups for around 600 Baht which is an amazing deal.

[Gus 97]

I have just looked at lifecare labs web site,http://lifecare.siam2web.com/?cid=1208969

they now offer the fingerprick INR test with the Coagchek XS unit for 400 thb with instant results.

[Gawd Elpus 798]

I have just looked at lifecare labs web site,http://lifecare.siam2web.com/?cid=1208969

they now offer the fingerprick INR test with the Coagchek XS unit for 400 thb with instant results.

 

I carry my yellow book in UK, but in Thailand, always have a small tag. I got on made up in English and Thai. Obviously, as we know, our clotting rate is much slower than normal, so in the even of an accident, the medics will be aware of this, and in some cases could be life saving.

 

With regards to INR tests, there is a calculus to that works out the dosage when you go under or over, that they use in hospitals, which are a gradual raise or lower in dosage. I have found that certain things can seriously affect INR levels, especially alcohol and certain foods. Although it is an every day affair, taking the warfarin, there are times when I used to forget, or forget, hI had forgot. I have a pill box now, and just the load the doses up each week for each day, so I know that I have taken the right does on the right day, which is currently 10 mg per day on 5 days, and 9 mg on 2 days. As long as the reading is somewhere between 2.3 and 3.00 then generally nothing to worry about

[Gonzo 419]

Go to the Lifelabs lab off 3rd road just north of the overpass and before Soi 17/3rd road, on the water side of 3rd road. It is a 10 minute walk from the RG.

 

There is a huge Laundry Express sign on the corner (on 3rd road) and it is only 1/2 a block in from that sign on 3rd road.

 

This test they can probably do while you wait but you can come back an hour or 2 later.

 

Very inexpensive. They do complete STD checkups for around 600 Baht which is an amazing deal.

To add to your information. The Lifecare Laboratory opens at 7AM to 8PM, Monday to Saturday and are closed on Sunday. The pathologist, who owns the place, is usually late in the morning on school days, as he takes his kids to school. It's best to go there after 8AM, when the traffic is still relatively light and one can find a place to park in the little Soi off Third Road, if you drive a car you can normally park in front of one of the many shops, as they don't open until about 10AM. If you ride a scooter it won't matter, as you can park right in front of his shop. The Tel. Numbers are 038 488048, 081 4817180 Hotline 086-812 9397.

 

There are no appointments needed The results for the INR can be had after one minute. He has various check-up programs. The 15 item Standard Package is only THB 500. The Exclusive 30 item Program is THB 2500. We had the 20 item THB 999 baht program yesterday, You have your blood samples taken in the morning and can pick up the results at 3PM in the afternoon.The pathologist speaks very good English. One can also choose to add additional tests or just have single tests from his extensive list of 120 items. All hospitals in Pattaya will accept his test results. One can save a hell of a lot of money by having blood tests done at the Lifecare Laboratory, instead of going to one of the Private Hospitals

 

The Check-up programs require fasting for 8 hours before the blood samples are taken. The OP said he had thin veins and difficulties having blood taken. There won't be any problems at the Lifecare Laboratory. I have thin veins, but the pathologist there always draws blood at his first attempt.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Gonzo

[MM 6,562]

The OP said he had thin veins and difficulties having blood taken. There won't be any problems at the Lifecare Laboratory. I have thin veins, but the pathologist there always draws blood at his first attempt.

 

I've used them frequently for liver function testing, and I have to say, nearly every time I go there, I have horrible, painful, purple swollen bruising at the site where they draw the blood.

 

It's been so bad, that I now prefer to use Bangkok Pattaya Hospital lab results, because they have a better success rate at hitting and keeping the needle in the vein. It costs a lot more, but the after-effects are tolerable.