BajaNomad

laboratory tests in Baja

ediej - 2-17-2006 at 09:45 AM

Hi, used to travel regularly in Baja and points south in our sail boat... We are now in a fifthwheel trailer and would love to be in Mexico again.

Now, my question: my DH has a heart condition where he takes a blood thinner (warfarin) and is monitored by a test called Protime, usually monthly, to be sure his blood is within a safe range.

Does anyone on here have personal experience in taking this test in Baja? I would think that LaPaz and Cabo would have such a facility (hospital); what about Loreto? Or other places? Any input would be helpful. Thanks, Edie

Bruce R Leech - 2-17-2006 at 09:51 AM

Mulege has a good Laboratory that can do that and most other work.

Paula - 2-17-2006 at 09:54 AM

I have had lab work done at Nunez lab in Loreto. It is a good place. Pro time is one I have had done there. You get results quickly, as the tests are processed here.

ediej - 2-17-2006 at 10:08 AM

That's just the input I needed. We know what the safe range of the test is, so if DH is out of range, we'd just call Seattle for instructions. Thanks, nothing like personal experience!

comitan - 2-17-2006 at 11:04 AM

In La Paz or Cabo you would have a difficult decision on which one because there are so many.

turtleandtoad - 2-17-2006 at 11:46 AM

See,

I told you, if you want to know about Baja, there's only one place to go.

And this is the place!:spingrin:

bajabound2005 - 2-17-2006 at 12:19 PM

If you can learn the proper test name in Spanish you'll be way ahead. One lab we went to and asked for a pro-time, they didn't know what it was. So then we went to Laboratorio Nunez - they knew what it was. They also refer to it as INR. If you go in the AM they'll have the results by the afternoon, otherwise the next day. You can just pick up the report and check the numbers. The first test ran $7.50 and then dropped to $5.50 as a repeat customer. Less than our co-pay in the US!

meme - 2-17-2006 at 12:22 PM

Yes, you can get this testing done in San Felipe also!

Paula - 2-17-2006 at 08:43 PM

at Nunez in Loreto, if you say tiempo de protombina he will know what you want. The same gentleman has always been there when I've gone, and a little Spanish helps, but he is a good communicator, and will figure out what you want. Best to go between 7:30 and 9:00 am.

Pompano - 2-18-2006 at 07:49 AM

I think my lab, Laboratorio, had a sense of humor. I sent in my vial specimen and it came back with this report. "The horse died of diabetes."

[Edited on 2-18-2006 by Pompano]

oladulce - 2-18-2006 at 02:40 PM

There's a self-testing kit available to check your own pro-time (short for "Prothrombin time") but it looks like it will run you about $2500 bucks- yikes!
http://www.hometestmed.com/protime.asp

turtleandtoad - 2-18-2006 at 03:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
I think my lab, Laboratorio, had a sense of humor. I sent in my vial specimen and it came back with this report. "The horse died of diabetes."

[Edited on 2-18-2006 by Pompano]


Or you're dead. :lol:

Does your better half know? :?:

ediej - 2-18-2006 at 04:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce
There's a self-testing kit available to check your own pro-time (short for "Prothrombin time") but it looks like it will run you about $2500 bucks- yikes!
http://www.hometestmed.com/protime.asp


Yep, I saw that on google too, and too expensive! But thanks for the thought!

oladulce - 2-18-2006 at 05:17 PM

I attended a nursing inservice a while back and they discussed the potential closure of the Hospital's "Coumadin clinic" in the near future because of a new drug coming out which is expected to replace Coumadin and does not require frequent monitoring of Coag. factors, such as protimes.

I don't recall the name of the drug, but check with your DH's doctor and maybe soon you won't have to deal with the lab test.

ediej - 2-18-2006 at 07:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oladulce
I attended a nursing inservice a while back and they discussed the potential closure of the Hospital's "Coumadin clinic" in the near future because of a new drug coming out which is expected to replace Coumadin and does not require frequent monitoring of Coag. factors, such as protimes.

I don't recall the name of the drug, but check with your DH's doctor and maybe soon you won't have to deal with the lab test.


I've read about that on the internet and boy, it can't come too soon! When we get back to Washington State this spring that'll be one of the first questions we ask of the doctor..... Edie

bajabound2005 - 2-21-2006 at 08:46 AM

I found the printed results from a recent pro-time. The test is Spanish is called "Tiempo Parcial de Tromboplastina" and when you look at the results the number you are looking for is listed under I.N.R. Typically, if on a blood thinner, they want you between 2.0 and 3.0.