Vitamin D and K2 - is it ok to supplement with K2 when on anti-coagulants?

[JFJ131]

somewhere I gathered that we ought to be careful taking k2 when taking anti coagulants… unless I am getting mixed up with all the new information I am trying to understand. I have for number of years now taken vitamin d ,but understand to take it with k2 … to get the calcium from blood into the bones….but I also have read the risk is increasing potential clots? And now I am to take apixaban I have stopped taking k2. Any advice would be appreciated.

[CDreamer]

Not all anticoagulants are VitK antagonists - meaning unless you take Wafarin which is a VitK antagonist, meaning when you take some forms of K2 it could interact with Wafarin and raise your INR. Even then, you need VitK for good health so eating your leafy greens is essential but most people will adjust their Wafarin level accordingly. Taking supplements however is a slightly different matter and you should seek advice of a pharmacist. It’s difficult when you know you need to take VitD and need K2 for the VitD to be absorbed, especially if you have osteoporosis.

There is no problem with the newer DOACs such as Edoxaban, Apixaban, Rivoroxaban etc as they are not VitK antagonists.

[JFJ131 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your reply and advice.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to JFJ131]

I know people on warfarin who take suplementary K2 in order to help, stabilise INR. The more in your diet the less variation being the (good) theory. OK the dose of warfarin may need increasing so as not to reduce INR too much but any dietary variation will have less percentage effect on it.

Of course DOACS are not Vit K antagonists so are not so affected.

[JFJ131 in reply to BobD]

Thanks bob for your reply.

[Foreverfibber]

Vitamin K is used to reverse the effect of Coumadin so that is why when you are taking that particular medication you are advised to check your consumption of leafy green vegetables which are a high source of Vitamin K. As far as Vitamin K's impact on other anticoagulants, it is not an issue generally speaking.

[JFJ131 in reply to Foreverfibber]

Thanks for your reply.

[Blearyeyed]

Vitamin K1 is more of an issue than Vitamin K2 .Basically, Warfarin is the medication that the advice is about when talking about Vitamin K2.

Taking K2 at any dose with warfarin was studied.

The research concluded that the chance of thrombosis returned to being the same in patients that took Vitamin K2 and Warfarin had a similar risk as patients whom were untreated at whichever vitamin K2 dose was taken.

So it's still thought to be better not to take Vitamin K2 with warfarin unless it is understandable strict supervision.

The same isn't true for other medications like Apixaban. Patients whom have taken Apixaban and doses of Vitamin D and K2 did not have the same problems and they were thought to be safe to use together. Although general recommendations were like those for other supplements and it is better to take them after a meal and at least two hours after your anticoagulant medication.

[JFJ131 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Good advice, thanks.

[JustAnotherCancer]

K2 mk7 is what you’re looking for.

[JFJ131 in reply to JustAnotherCancer]

Thank you

[BenHall1]

I can't comment on k2 and these newer a/case...only Warfarin which I've been consuming for 14 years. The Consultant who dealt with me back in the day explained quite fully the relationship between Warfarin, INR testing and bloods and food. Once I was discharged and back home I decided to make minimal concessions to Warfarin and would carry on as normal with food and drink. From that point onwards whatever I ate and drank I did so with absolute consistency. I also invested in my own Coaguchek testing device which provided my INR on demand. (Basically identical to what a diabetic might do with blood testing ). I also self taught/educated myself on Warfarin and hey ho off we go - no sweat. BUT - no concessions, I just eat anything, K1, K2, green leafy veggies, whatever, alcohol too, bananas, whatever - no citrus though .... hate the darned stuff.

I have had to consult a new Cardiac Consultant, given him an overview of my AF history with the result we have tweaked my medication and agreed I carry on but increase my lifestyle activities, more walking and exercise.

Having said all that I did an INR blood test this morning and got a result of 4, so all I do now is reduce my Warfarin for a few days then retest. Sorted.

John

[JFJ131 in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks John for sharing your experience and understanding. All good advice and good attitude. Best wishes

[diamondgirl902]

I'm so glad you posted about this. I was taking K2 MK7 with Vit D and stopped in Sept 2023, after suffering a 3rd stroke.

My medication changed from Clopidogrel to Apixaban and I was unsure about taking K2.

I'm 53 and suffered a major stroke aged 34 due to a PFO, which has never been closed. I then suffered another two strokes last year aged 52, so hoping they will repair the hole in my heart.

[JFJ131 in reply to diamondgirl902]

Hi...I am not sure what you mean. Are you saying you think we should not take K2 whentaking Apixaban?? I dont know what a PFO is?? Would appreciate if you could let me know if you were told not to take K2 or if you have been told this linked to having strokes?

[diamondgirl902 in reply to JFJ131]

Sorry, PFO is a hole in hole which can cause strokes.

I was unsure about taking K2 again until I saw the comments in your post.

[JFJ131 in reply to diamondgirl902]

Ok thanks best wishes