checking blood while on coumadin (blood thinner)

[watgate]

I was just diagnosed with another blood clot and am due to depart for chiang mai in approximately 2 1/2 weeks where I will be residing for 4 months. Since I will only have been on Coumadin for a short while, I am going to have to have my blood levels checked periodically while I am in Chiang Mai. Does anyone know if Sriphat Medical Center performs this service, and if so, what floor it is done on? Also, does anyone know what the cost is to have this blood test done? Thank you for any information. I really want to come to Chiang Mai again this winter and don't want to have this checking my Coumadin level prevent me from coming this winter.

[cloudhopper]

Any hospital lab should be able to do this for you. Or you can check your own clotting time weekly if you can get a home test kit.

[Dante99]

Easy to do here. Don't know about Sripat costs but Ram, walk into the lab, do not see a doctor and the test costs about 300 Baht which is probably high(est) in town. If you are out of range, it would probably cost less than 500 Baht to see a doctor for the recommended dose adjustment. The drug is available without prescription in drug stores.

[Langsuan Man]

Don't know where you are from but I was able to get my US insurance company to pay for a lease on a machine that allows me to check my own INR levels on a weekly or bi weekly basis (now that I am covered by Medicare it doesn't cost me anything)

If in the US, check out this web site:

http://www.inrselftest.com/

[beau thai]

Dont let this stop you coming - many places to get an accurate blood test at low cost.

Enjoy your life, and good luck with your health. Although it is traditional for people on TV to moan, I guess we all really like life in Chiang Mai or we would move on, right?

Go for it!

[watgate]

I am from the U.S and thanks for the replys. They are very informative and have encouraged me to not give up the fight nor my trip.

[watgate]

If I go to a lab to have my blood checked and find it is out of the prescribed range, what type doctor would I see, a hematologist or a regular doctor, to correct my doseage? This is all new to me and I am trying to be prepared for any eventuality when I arrive in Chiang Mai. Thanks for any info.

[beau thai]

If I go to a lab to have my blood checked and find it is out of the prescribed range, what type doctor would I see, a hematologist or a regular doctor, to correct my doseage? This is all new to me and I am trying to be prepared for any eventuality when I arrive in Chiang Mai. Thanks for any info.

Hopefully you will get more useful replies from a TV member with direct experience but I would go to Rajavej Private Hospital by the Hoilday Inn as I live close by and have found them very good generally, but not specifically for your question. I dont think they would find adjusting your medication challenging though.

[beau thai]

If I go to a lab to have my blood checked and find it is out of the prescribed range, what type doctor would I see, a hematologist or a regular doctor, to correct my doseage? This is all new to me and I am trying to be prepared for any eventuality when I arrive in Chiang Mai. Thanks for any info.

Hopefully you will get more useful replies from a TV member with direct experience but I would go to Rajavej Private Hospital by the Hoilday Inn as I live close by and have found them very good generally, but not specifically for your question. I dont think they would find adjusting your medication challenging though. And they are not expensive!