... testing being accurate, and can either recommend for or against a particular machine/manufacturer?
Warfarin - Anyone have any luck with purchasing a home testing machine (finger prick) for INR?
Question posted by terca on 12 April 2012
Last updated on 19 February 2020 by Christine spataro
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
21 Answers
Christine spataro
19 Feb 2020
They are available online from eBay. Walmart has them, most major pharmacy's have them, I monitor my own INR by watching my intake of Vitamin K, .i.e; the food I eat and I'm a vegetarian
This isn't rocket science. just something you have do regularly and adjust what your eating according to what your INR is. I started out keeping a record of which foods were high in Vitamin K and watched my intake. That's all the doctor does. Vitamin K thins the blood, I'm not saying this method is right for everyone because all A- Fib is not the same, it effects people differently.
ggladney
11 Sep 2019
I actually got mine through my insurance. The company name is Acelis, formerly Alere. My cardiologist ordered it.
Fulvia Testardi
10 June 2019
I have used for many years CoaguChek XS, by Roche, and I am still alive...
Fingerprick
16 May 2019
I purchased a Roche Coagucheck meter on eBay a few years ago after getting frustrated with the serious hassle and cost of monitoring services. I get my strips online from a reputable vendor. My old dr was fine fine with this and had no problem prescribing Coumadin. I had to switch doctors switch and the new practice is not willing to prescribe Coumadin unless I sign up with a service or come into the office for testing. Not sure where to turn. I’m not willing to do either of those. How are you self tester’s without a monitoring service getting Coumadin?
bwentzel
9 Oct 2018
I have not found a provider that will sell me the unit itself, they all want to lease them now. I had owned 2 of them from 2003 to 2014 and had no problem getting them but now it seems as though no one wants to sell the unit itself without paying for their reporting service which I can easily do by myself as I always have in the past.
Tpuckett1966
30 June 2018
My dr approved a meter, my insurance approved the cost. But no place near me have them. I even tried calling up to 100 miles from me with no luck. Where can I get one ?
Anne Castles
18 April 2017
Yes. I went overseas with a CoaguCheck XS. I had no problems at all. I tested it before i left Australia.
sherpy1
19 Aug 2016
Just to let you know. I have been using Alere home monitoring system for several years. Just received notice of mandatory recall for machine and strips. They offer no alternative home product in their notice. Users were notified about a year or so ago to compare a same day home result to a venous lab result. The systems numbers were lower than lab results. As I mentioned, they now have a mandatory recall.
valvejob
18 Aug 2016
I have been self testing my INR for close to 15 years. The only problem I ever HAD was dealing with the company that deals with the meter and sells the test strips. They also pressure patients to test and call in the INR so they can call the doctor, then call you back. They also want you to have a prescription for weekly testing. They want you testing weekly the same day of the week and not be late. Even though my Doctor may tell me I can go 2 or 3 weeks without testing they harass you. They will tell you all kinds of things to push you to maximize your test strip purchases. They even lie and tell you that it is necessary for insurance to cover testing. I could go on but you get the idea.
I finally decided to buy my own meter and strips which will save my insurance company $3000 a year. I never called in my INR to anyone but my doctors office. The self teasing company harassed me with more BS than I could take. Their dishonesty, greedy, and pushy behavior led me to owning my own meter. I'm not saying this is the right thing for everyone but I am whole lot happier.
The coagucheck XS is about $1300 for the standard price. You can check around and find something better. I got a new one just like my rental (Coagucheck xs) for under $500. I purchased test strips, 24 count for $170. I can test twice a month for less than $14 a month. So in the long run it will cost me less to test, and do it when I want to. You don't need a prescription to do this on your own. Once you get over the shock of buying a meter you will be so much happier.
I would watch out for someone trying to get rid of a meter that may have recall. There are several of those out there. know expiration date of strips you are buying.
betteh
19 Sep 2016
My story is much like yours ... I've been using the Alere INR monitor for about 5 years and they have now recalled it. I have nothing but trouble with that company, as you describe. I'm now trying to decide whether to go with their new Coagu-check monitor (same lousy service) or buy my own ...
valvejob
20 Sep 2016
I wasn't going to say any names but it was Alere.
The thing that put me over the edge was them telling me I had to call in my INR to them even though my doctor faxed a release from me calling my results to them. They gave me lame untrue reasons. Bottom line, the doctor and patient don't have enough sense to monitor INR. I never called in my INR to anyone but my doctors office in all my years of testing and I was not going to start doing it.
Has anyone had their doctor office fax a release and Alere say they did not get it, more than once?
I read that the INRatio meters are all being recalled now. they will be unsupportable, no strips.
dkay0787
21 June 2016
For everyone! I do have an Alere PT/INRatio2 Monitor and kit available and for sale! Been trying to sell it But not sure if hospitals will buy it or a dr would want to. I have two sets of monitors and I don't need the 2nd one. Any interested parties or should I try the drs at the hospitals?
cjmav
27 June 2016
I've been on warfarin since my mechanical aortic valve transplant in 2006 and will be for life, so a home inr monitor would be of great help to me. What would your price be for the machine you are looking to sell?
bmawjf65
27 June 2016
What are you asking for it? I'm interested.
dkay0787
27 June 2016
I'm asking $400 obo for it? I paid over 700 for it.
Cwinston66
27 July 2016
Do you still have machine for sale? If so how much are you asking for monitor?
cyclopsga
3 Aug 2016
the FDA recalled all Alere HemoSense INRatio2 meters in 2015, which might explain why there are so many used ones for sale on ebay.
betty287
22 Aug 2016
This machine is being recalled
knitbette
24 Aug 2016
Alere is RECALLING their PT/INRation2 monitors!
I'm currently researching to see if there is another home monitor provider, since this company has been very difficult to work with and completely not consumer-friendly.
knitbette
24 Aug 2016
This unit has been RECALLED!
paulpaol
3 Oct 2016
It isn't one of the recalled machines is it??? People are selling the recalled model on ebay...
Kari6
25 Feb 2017
@cjmav My son is about to have AVR. How is it being on Warfarin for life? Do you feel the same as before?
EVLelea
26 June 2017
I am sure you sold this?
dkay0787
26 June 2017
I have not.
michael dugovich
26 June 2018
I am interested in owning a machine.
Please send me details: brand, model, availability, year manufactured, and, cost.
micheles61
14 Sep 2018
Guess this is gone??
EUNICE 34
29 May 2016
I don't have lucky get a machine
EUNICE 34
29 May 2016
My doctor get me a machine I can't for it
EUNICE 34
29 May 2016
Can't pay for a machine in to high
LaQuettaRay
4 March 2016
Why doesn't Medicaid pay for mine in Texas? It would be cheaper than a nurse coming to my house once or twice a week or going to the lab since I'm disabled and basically home bound.
MoreToKnow
6 Jan 2017
If the nurse is already doing blood draws once a week, it would be duplication of services. The doc can already order INR from your blood draw. The cost may not pan out for the machine and cost of strips.
lucy1917
12 Oct 2014
Hematologist prescibed one for me through Alere. The cost to me was prohibitive--over $500 for 6 months of test strips (2 per month). I have Blue Cross high deductible insurance and it would have been 80% after $3000 deductible. I bought one on eBay for >$800 including 48 test strips. Completely eliminated all middle men. Ridiculous!!!
Related topics
pulmonary embolism - first event, pulmonary embolism - recurrent event, warfarin
Further information
- Warfarin uses and safety info
- Warfarin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Warfarin (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.