vitamin D levels

[Ianc2]

The sun is heading South and so will your Vitamin D levels for the next 6 months. Vitamins A ,D ,E and K are fat soluble so have a look at your diet for next 6 months?

[Suanna]

I was taking a Vit D supplement until recently when I saw an article about foods, etc. to avoid when taking anticoags. It seems that D, as well as foods that contain D and K, etc., increase the risk of bleeding.

[Bpsan in reply to Suanna]

I had my anticoagulant clinic visit yesterday to check all ok and the nurse who was doing the checks asked what supplements I was taking. She said Vit D was ok - it did not cone up on the list as interacting with rivaroxaban. I had also heard that omega 3 fish oils were questionable but she said they were ok too.

[Ianc2 in reply to Suanna]

Hi Suanna

I think they might have got that wrong. The standard treatment/antidote for a warfarin bleed is to pump in a vitamin k based drug in as a clotting agent, it is instantly effective, and is one of warfarin's strengths.

One of the reasons you have to have regular blood tests to get your warfarin levels stable is that meals like avocado salad can affect your INR levels quite drastically, because of the vitamin K levels in vegetables.

I have seen reports that taking vitamin D helps with dealing unwanted side of heparin, but I haven't seen any comments otherwise.

May I ask where you saw this report/ news article?

[Suanna in reply to Ianc2]

I can't remember now which site it was on, but I remember the recommendation to avoid natural foods that assist anticoagulation. Perhaps it was just referring to Warfarin, which I am not taking.

[Auriculaire in reply to Suanna]

It is probably because oily fish are high in both vit d and omega 3. It is the omega 3 not the vit d that has a "thinning" effect though I think that is actually anti aggregant than anti coagulant. This sounds like a case of garbled info leading to foolish health choices. A high level of vit d is one of the best ways to boost immunity against colds and flu.

It is actually very hard to get adequate levels of vit d from a diet that is high in naturally vit d containing foods as these are few . It is impossible for vegetarians and vegans. The best way of managing vit d levels is to get tested and supplement accordingly especially in winter, but all the year round if you are unable to sunbathe ( without sunscreen) regularly. Contrary to public health advice face and arms make very little vit d so those who are unable to expose a lot more of their body are not going to make enough with 10 mins here and there. City pollution also stops the uv B from getting through and if you are taking a stain -forget it. Vit d is manufactured from cholesterol.

[Ianc2 in reply to Auriculaire]

D1, D2 or D3?

[Auriculaire in reply to Ianc2]

Vit D 2 is what plants have . Mushrooms grown in sunshine ie wild have high quantities in comparison to other plants but you would have to eat an enormous quantity every day to get any significant amount. Most vit d researchers recommend vit D 3 as that is what pur bodies make from sunshine. Don't know anything about D1.

[Suanna in reply to Suanna]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[Finvola]

As the climate in N Ireland isn’t known for its sunshine, I have taken moderate amounts of D3 for the last number of years.

At my last Apixaban blood test an enzyme (alk phos) was raised so a bone profile was done. As a result, I am now prescribed calcium and D3 year round. From this I would deduce that Apixaban and D3 are compatible. I asked a cardiologist about taking cod liver oil and he said it would not interfere with anticoagulation levels.

[CDreamer]

Only add that it’s a good idea to get a Vit D test - you can order on internet- our local NHS lab is the cheapest I have found. It’s a simple finger prick test. You should look for high end of ‘normal’ range to provide adequate cover.

I take D3 - on advice from neurologist. Only caution - taking very high levels can lead to kidney stones forming - no more than 2000iu in winter 400iu in summer was recommendation I received.