I have just got back from an early morning appointment to see my GP because they had received two letters from the hospital after recent checkups. The result is I have anaemia and I have a cholesterol problem and they would like me to start on statins. Later today I shall be back at the surgery for my regular Warfarin blood test and another U&E blood test for the anaemia. I am also going to make an appointment to see my local pharmacist about the statins as she has been very good in the past. Every time I see a GP I have to go through a shed load of explanations as to why I cannot have anymore treatment for my AF other than the tablets, they want to jump in with ablations etc. and I have to explain why not, then I feel really depressed , which is not good. Keeping my fingers crossed. Lynn.
Statins and anaemia: I have just got... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Statins and anaemia
High cholesterol is often caused by low thyroid. Ask for a full thyroid check ( not just TSH but T4 abd T3 as well. This will give a true picture.
Thank you for your reply re thyroid could be the problem. I have a thyroid problem and the Thyroid Consultant told me we could not go down that route because of multiple health problems. Lynn.
Hennerton is right on re the thyroid connection. I finally have a GP who knows how to deal with it, and I've been feeling great this year.
As for the Warfarin: my cardiac surgeon told me I needed it for just 3 months post valve replacement, so that's why I no longer take it. However, my husband had AF, pacer, etc., and was on Warfarin for many years without adverse effects. From what I've read, it is much safer than the newer blood thinners, though inconvenient to have the frequent blood draws.
Back to the thyroid--- many dr's know very little about the thyroid, and the many body systems it affects. Find an Endocrinologist !
I have been on Warfarin for 9 years, initially, my inr was up and down, now I am sitting at 2.5. I am on Verapamil as well, sometimes if they change my dose, it knocks my level off a bit. My practice has a machine which means she just pricks my finger for blood, and my level shows up in the machine immediately. I have complete confidence with Warfarin.....
What do you mean by "go down that route"? The best route If you have an underactive thyroid ( and I guessed right) is to make sure you are adequately replaced with thyroid hormone. Low thyroid affects every cell and organ in your body. GPs know nothing about it and rely on an inadequate blood test to tell them what to do. I suggest you move across to the Thyroid U.K. site of HU and ask questions there. They are well informed about all thyroid matters. Until your thyroid is right, all bodily systems including your heart, will struggle.
Firstly, however, you need full blood tests with reference ranges to post on the HU site and ask for advice. Ask your GP for Free T4 , Free T3 and TSH. You are probably low in other vitamins and minerals like Vit D, B12, folate and iron ( you are anaemic aren't you?) but go one step at a time, as your GP will not want to check all those immediately. I am so angry about the appalling way thyroid patients are treated across the U.K. Sadly we need to learn and be our own doctor as far as thyroid matters are concerned. I hope this helps.
Excellent advice! I am from Ireland and was really taken aback at how casual the GPs here are about thyroid, I have a friend who when I got to know I mentioned that her Thyroid was off and she went to her GP who did the tests but only the TSH and said it was fine, at the time I did not realise that is all they request. Anyhow to cut a long story short she ended up having a heart attack from it being over active. Her GP refused to get into conservation over it and she thought she was ok. But then once again it seemed off and her Dr tested it and said it is ok and would not adjust her medicine. As luck would have it she joined a clinical trial for a new heart drug and they tested her bloods and found her medicines way off and correct it and wrote to her Dr as he had to prescribe it. When she went into him he claimed they only ever get to see the TSH!! I could not believe she was lied to as even on the NSH site it states your Dr can request the full panel of bloods for thyroid if needed, My friend could have been headed for another heart attack if she had not signed up for that trial. How do these people sleep at night
I am grateful for your concern, my mother had to have her thyroid removed when it was precancerous and was on Thyroxin tablets but it did not stop the cancer spreading to other parts of her chest. I have been tested and scanned and I have enlarged growth on both sides of my neck, they should be removed but I cannot have general anaesthetic and I cannot be prescribed tables for it as it would unbalance the heart/asthma/Adrenalin insufficiency /lymphodema/osteoporosis/pain tablets that I am already taking. So I just go along with all my problems as best as I can.
Sorry but I am puzzled by your reply. Is your thyroid okay, in which case of course you do not need medication like thyroxine but if it is underactive, your body will slowly become worse until you reach a coma stage. All organs rely on a fully functioning thyroid.
Hi Lynn. Sorry to hear all this.
The problem is that once the meds are played out, and that does happen a lot, Ablation is about the only route left. And the best route. What is it that you don't want to go down that road. ? Having an ablation could solve a lot of your unhappiness. Ablation changed my life around even with other health issues.
What is holding you back on that ? Fear ? Ablations are a lot easier to go thru than what you might think.
Think twice
Be well
Phil
Sometimes Phil ablation is not appropriate for the patient due to physiological anomalies.
I understand your point but it may not be that simple.
I agree with you about ablation. My meds seems to be working quite well, although I have regular "episodes". Due to my age, I would not want ablation. Am seeing consultant again on 10th Oct.
Thank you BobD, I think you hit the button there, I always like your wisdom.
Thank you for replying Phil. Its the Consultants (Respiratory,Gastroenterology, Thyroid), and Anaesthetists that say its not a good idea to have anything invasive. Its just a case of take the tablets and fingers crossed.
Watch "Why magnesium is so good for you" on YouTube
I can't advise on stations but if you can get better control of your condition they may not be necessary anyway. I have found that diet can have a major affect on health. Search out Dr Greger - How Not To Die.
I have always eaten meat and dairy but there are some compelling arguments why you might want to consider different eating patterns
I meant statins. Spellchecker took over
Hi
I am from another group , Antiphospholipid Syndrome - aka APS aka Hughes and Sara from Health Unlocked has asked me to comment here about warfarin. Many of us with APS have used it for years to control our coagulation and, if we have had various events, out target INR tends to be above 3.0 Some have moved on to the newer anticoagulation drugs, others not. I am amongst the latter for a number of reasons but primarily because I am outside of all the the characteristics of those who have been subject of trials (age, history, situation etc) I am very happy on warfarin and I must have been on it well over 40 years. My target INR is 3. 8 to 4.0. I self-test every other day and self dose- as per advice from Professor Hughes. If I drop below 3.0 I self-inject heparin whilst I get back up closer to my target. I also now pretty much manage my own bridging with heparin on those occasions when I may be having minor surgery or investigations where they want your INR low. Warfarin is a cheap effective drug and it does the job as far as I am concerned. Self-management makes it much easier to live with. It is also helpful for my doctors, they can change drugs for various issues and know I will keep on top of any side effects that affect my coagulation. I cross check my machine against venous bloods from time to time. I have paid for my coaguchek machines (now on 3rd) but my surgery pay for my strips - they are expensive but far cheaper than the care costs that could arise. Not everyone can get on with the coaguchek machines, particularly those who are lupus anticoagulant positive - though I am and I do get on with it. I remember being terrified of going on to warfarin but now it is a friend I couldn't do without. That's it really, if warfarin is appropriate for your condition it can be a lifesaver. Do come back if you think I can add anything that might help you on the subject.
Best wishes
Tim
Hi there .
I've been on warfarin for many years.
Lieden V
I also have underactive thyroid and have had numerous clots , one in calf , groin and lung .
I have 4 stents fitted and I take Statins ECT plus the usual meds for fybromyalgia .
So it's a long , long list .
Don't worry re warfarin .
They will settle on the dose and so long as you don't change diet too often it will be ok .
Antibiotics ECT will change INR so best to have a check when on them .
Stick to a decent diet and regular meals and you should do fine .
I'm on 4 .5 a day now along with clopidogrel ( another thinner ) .
Hi Lynn, I have been on warfarin for 4 years since starting to take a beta blockers for AF. When the AF was diagnose I was told that ablation wouldn't be worth doing as I'd probably had AF for a few year without knowing about it and my type of AF, whatever that is, couldn't be reversed by ablation.It was only discovered when I went in for kidney stones. Anyway not wishing to take BBs I monitored my pulse whilst I was on my bike on rollers. I had masses of data which showed that as the BBs were being lowered, my pulse rate did not increase as expected. I run, swim, cycle, canoe etc and was finding I was getting out of breath with mild exertion. Because I could prove from the data that there must be more happening, a blood test showed an underactive thyroid so put on tabs for that (6mnths ago) Pulse rate went up and I can exercise to near capacity now. At the same time it was suggested I go on a statin to reduce my already normal cholesterol or at least reduce the future potential for heart related probs. Not sure if that helps you but it gives you and idea of my progress through the discovery of AF. I have never taken tablets before all this and it's been hard to accept the input of drugs each day. I have remained positive and simply accept they are like the cod liver oil tabs I take (since I was three) and are doing me some good. There is no doubt had I not recorded my pulse and outcomes myself the doctors would have just let 'things' chug on regardless of me explaining my shortness of breath linked to the low HR. Hope that helps in some way. AF has so many differing effects and treatments so I would never suggest what's best for you but for me I have a positive ending to this chapter. All the best Lynn.
Thanks very much waterflo35, I am on calcium channel blockers because I am on steroids for my asthma and Adrenalin insufficiency. I was first told I had AF while in hospital with appendicitis in 2014, I also had pelvic mass infection caused by the appendicitis, that included small intestine,overy on righthand side. after loads of tests,scans,ultrasounds etc they told me it was first picked up twenty years ago but it was thought insignificant at the time because of my then medication. anyway thats when they landed me with heart tablets and Warfarin was one of them. I have not changed my diet much but I cannot eat a normal diet, no salads of any kind, no acidic fruit, no seeds no fizzy drinks nothing spicy , the list goes on. Its just when another ailment is diagnosed that I just feel rubbish. I know I shall get over it and crack on with it as my so says. I have been for a chat with my trusted pharmacist who is very understanding. I shall be ok. Lynn.
You seem to have had lots of advice here about statins and AF treatments etc. No one has mentioned your anaemia. I have been on vitamin B12 injections at 12 week intervals for the last several years, after I failed the 'drop test' at a blood donor session, long before I developed AF. I always feel better a few days after the injection, and start to feel tired and run down a few weeks before the next one is due. Your anaemia may well be different, and I have no medical training, but if it is anything like mine, the treatment is nothing to fear and I doubt there is likely to be any interaction with any other treatment.
Thank you momist, it is actually about fifty years since I last had anaemia, I am not bothered about the diagnosis, my mother in law and brother in law both have B12 injections. I was just annoyed that it was not picked up on when I was in hospital after I had a fall on 1st July. they only took one blood sample, did not try a second time when the second blood sample taken drew no blood. Thats NHS for you, they were more interested in their targets and turnrounds.
I've been on Warfarin for 7 years but was recently diagnosed with severe anaemia. Tablets made me violently ill so I've been having IV iron. However my level has only gone up minimally so not sure what they'll do next. They think I'm having Warfarin bleeds but complete GI investigations showed nothing there so the site if the bleed is a mystery.
I get periods of being very breathless which I'm told could be due to the anaemia or I could be in heart failure. Just wish they could get to the bottom of it
Sorry to hear that Dancingmaid, I hope they find where the bleeds are, it is worrying isnt it. I have more blood tests yet and goodness knows what else. I am breathly pretty much all the time, but I dont know if its asthma, af or now anaemia, I have to wait and see.
Hi Tim
Thanks for your positive warfarin summary - always good to hear. I've had APS for 20 years and have been on warfarin for the last 8 years. Like you it is my life line and keeps me alive. My target is 3 and anything below 2.2. Is danger time!!!
Sadly my lupus anticard. Prevents me getting accurate readings from the pin prick machines.
Jane
If I was you I would ask to change to Eliquis (Apixaban)-top anticoagulant out there.Less chance of any bleeding, & no INR checks. Ask about Propafenone to control the actual A.Fib. I am 74 and have A.F.for 40 years - still alive and kicking! Best to you, Mike
I have permanent address ,and would have preferred medication ,I opted for pace maker followed by ablation ,I to have first stage heart failure and a kidney problem ,but feel much better for the treatment I've had ,I'm on warfarin and check everything I take carefully ,bit of a bind but better be safe than sorry .wishing you all the best ,poppy
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