What should be monitored regularly in a patient receiving anticoagulant therapy?

Monitoring the International Normalized Ratio (INR) is crucial for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, particularly those on warfarin. The INR is a standardized measure of how long it takes for blood to clot, allowing healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation treatment. Maintaining an appropriate INR range helps prevent both thromboembolic events and bleeding complications. Regular monitoring ensures that the anticoagulant effect is neither too weak, which could lead to clot formation, nor too strong, which could increase the risk of bleeding.

While hemoglobin levels, blood glucose levels, and complete blood count are also important health parameters, they do not specifically reflect the anticoagulant's effectiveness or safety. Hemoglobin levels are useful for assessing anemia, blood glucose levels are pertinent in diabetes management, and a complete blood count provides an overview of overall health and can indicate potential infections or other issues. However, for patients on anticoagulants, it is the INR that is essential to monitor regularly to ensure proper therapeutic levels are achieved and maintained.