Will be in Italy and Germany for a month this July and need to find out where to get my coumadin blood level (INR) checked. Do they have clinics, etc.? Will be in Florence, Orvieto, Cortona, Bellagio, Munich, Hallstatt and Salzburg. Might need to check at least once or twice during our trip. Thank you kindly for any advice.
Mike
I used to take coumadin but luckily did not have to have it checked while on vacation in Europe. I had my doctor do the check a day or two before I left on my trips which was good enough for the 3 - 4 weeks I was away each time. I have moved away from that drug now so it is no longer an issue for me.
I did have to get a check when I was in Dublin, Ireland on a business trip. There was a clinic right across the street from the hotel and they were able to see me and do the test. It did cost €150 cash which was not covered by my insurance.
I'm sure you should be able to find a clinic. Ask at the hotel or if you are on a group tour ask the tour guide.
In Italy, you can start with a farmacia, they should be able to direct you to a clinic, especially if you need a scrip first.
In Italy most of blood tests are done under the national health system, both in public and private labs. You most likely will be asked a prescription, even if you do not qualify for the NHS.
In Florence, a fast way could be addressing the medical practice of Misericordia di Firenze (an historic first aid association) at Vicolo degli Adimari 1 (few meters from Piazza del Duomo); they take blood samples and send them to a private lab that will deliver results either on paper or online. If you know exactly what you need no prescription is needed. Try writing them at [email protected] and ask if they do INR tests.
(By the way, this is an excellent address if you need an extra specialist visit.)
My husband had this done all the time on a walk-in basis in Rome. It is cheap. You won't believe it versus the U.S., but the results are not available until the next day, in our experience. Just Google "analisi sangue firenze" (or substitute Orvieto for Firenze) to find several likely locations in Florence. You will have to retrieve the results either online or by returning to the clinic.
In our experience, you never needed a prescription for the test.
Will your insurance cover a PT/INR home testing device like the CoaguChek XS Meter? They are pricey, but if your insurance covered it, then it may be a cool "toy" to have :) We went to Italy and someone in our group got extreme food poisoning. The Doctor came out the agritourismo, started an IV and gave anti nausea meds. The doctor was with her for half a day and she was charged just under 150, which is super cheap, considering the doctor came at 4 am and left around noon!
Please keep in mind Coumadin is a trade name. You will need to have the generic. Ran into this situation with a friend last sept.
