Calcium supplementation and warfarin

[hihannula]

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year. I’d like to know if it is wise to take a calcium supplement if on warfarin. I ask because warfarin causes calcified tissues and arteries, and also causes osteoporosis. So to prevent or halt osteoporosis would the calcium with D3 be ok, or would it further calcify the arteries w/o K2. I’m not sure if I make sense because it’s complicated. Thank you.

[MaryF Administrator]

HI, I take Magnesium, D3 and K2 all watched over by my various consultants and GP's. I am not on Warfarin, so it does free me up a bit. I also take Spatone Iron, have B12 injections and take B complex with Folate and also a decent probiotic. My main specialists always go through what I am taking at appointments, last tests showed my Thyroid function, B12, Folate, Ferriting and D etc to be very well up in the ranges, which is completely the opposite to say ten years ago. I also have access to a fantastic highly trained nutritionist, who I can contact if I need to. MaryF

[hihannula in reply to MaryF]

Thanks Mary. That is fantastic to have found the right supplements and they are working for you. You are proof that it is achievable and I’ll keep trying to get it right. I cannot afford a nutritionist and my Doctors scoff at natural supplementation. I’m o my own and I’m grateful for this site as I get hands on information. Cheers Holy

[MaryF Administrator in reply to hihannula]

Please consult fully with all your doctors before trying or adding anything to your regime, this is very very important and medications can be affected, and doses need to also be managed and checked. You do need some medical guidance. MaryF

[KerryA]

Hi . I've been on Warfarin for about 27 years for APS and Calcium with Vit D for most of that time because I was on high dose steroids for a while then and also recently and have mild osteoporosis because of this and other medication.

I'm seeing my haematologist on monday so I will ask.

[hihannula in reply to KerryA]

Hi Kerry. Do you also supplement with vitamin k2-mk7 ,or is it in your cal/d supplement already. We need K2 to direct the calcium into our bones? Also, have you had a heart scan to check for arterial calcification. I ask because warfarin is notoriously known to cause heart disease, which I have catastrophic CAD. I’m in a desperate situation as I am trying to find a way to clear out some of the plaque in order to avoid stents. Cheers Holly

[MaryF Administrator in reply to hihannula]

Please do not add K2 in if taking Warfarin. health.clevelandclinic.org/... MaryF

[hihannula in reply to MaryF]

There is a lot of conflicting info about vit K2. At my thrombosis clinic they said they are more worried about inconsistent k1 injection, and not so much about K2. They told me to be consistent in both k1 and K2 but k1 is the k that gives us most of the problems. Thank you sending that article.

[MaryF Administrator in reply to hihannula]

The main thing is to discuss with your main medical consultant. I do with every supplement. MaryF

[hihannula in reply to KerryA]

Hi Kerry. Just wanted to know if you’ve ever had a scan done to eee wether or not the warfarin has caused calcification?

[KerryA in reply to hihannula]

Hi Holly. Sorry I didn't get back to you after my appt 6 months ago. I did ask about calcifications as I'd had an X-ray of my shoulder last Nov and incidentally they saw some? calcification in some lung tissue but consultant didn't think it was anything much. But I said I have a persistent cough so had a chest X-ray which showed a bit of shaddowing on right side, had a repeat in April. Had a phone consultation last week. Still chesty. Shadowing still there so awaiting a CT scan. Haven't had any cardiac scans lately. Last one was about 18 years ago. He did check calcium levels which are normal. My Calcium tablet only has Vit D3, no Vit K. All investigations are still on go slow due to COVID19 so have to wait patiently for everything. Hope you're OK. Best wishes, Kerry

[hihannula in reply to KerryA]

Hi Kerry

Thank you for replying. Just wondering how long you were on prednisone and also have you ever had a bone density scan done? The bone scan will not tell you the quality of your bones , but it will tell the density of your bones. The density really isn’t as important as the quality of your bones. There is a formula that is done from the bone scan scores that will tell the quality. If you haven’t had a test it would be a good idea to see if you have osteoporosis, and if you do, you could start a bone building program with exercise, diet and supplements before a fracture occurs. I have several severe fractures and have lost 1.75” in height. Only found out 3 months ago. Again I didn’t know these drugs could have such catastrophic side affects.

On top of causing osteoporosis, warfarin causes calcification on soft tissue because warfarin blocks the production of vit k which is needed to direct the vit d to direct the calcium into the bones and not on the soft tissues and in the arteries. Vitamin D without vit K2 is useless. In fact Vitamin D on its own w/o K2-mk7 actually causes calcification! Talk to your Dr about a consistent dose in a supplement of K2-MK7 to protect you from calcification and heart disease. You’ll need to go weekly to get lab testing for your INR and dosing until it levels out to accommodate the addition of vit K2. I only want to make as many people I can to understand you can do a few things to protect yourself from other disease caused by side affects from warfarin and prednisone and thyroid drugs. All of them are at the top of the list as bone thieves and the prednisone and warfarin can and do cause heart disease as well. I know I’m suffering with both and found out too late what can happen not taking vit k for the heart and the bones! With Regards. Holly 💕

[KerryA in reply to hihannula]

Hi Holly

Many thanks for your concern and advice.

When I was initially diagnosed with SLE and APS 28 years ago I was on high dose Pred for about a year then grad reducing dose over the following year. The again on high dose Pred for a year when AIH was diagnosed in 2018, then switched to Budesonide grad reducing the dose to 3mg which I still take. I di have a bone scan every few years and last year tipped into the osteoporosis bracket. I also take Alendronic Acid, exercise quite a lot and eat well with cheese and other milk-based products and other foods with calcium. I will discuss the Vit K2 with them next time. Keep as well as you can too and stay safe in these uncertain times. Best wishes

Kerry

[hihannula in reply to KerryA]

It sounds like you have everything under control. That’s great. I’ve almost got my daily plan for supplements, diet and exercise in order. I’m having trouble with finding some of the quality supplements here in a Canada. So still researching. My diet is changed to Paleo, but having trouble getting some of the ingredients at local stores! Exercise is good for most part but I do get very weak days with Zlupus and pain from osteoporosis. We can only do the best we can. They are showing on the news this morning the 1st trials with a vaccine. As an adult , I’ve never had a vaccine for any flu etc... Not sure I’ll be getting this one either! Well Kerry, it’s time for morning exercise! God Bless and keep well. Cheers Holly

[KerryA in reply to hihannula]

Thanks Holly. Glad you're gradually getting sorted and keeping as fit as you can and staying positive. Take care, keep well and God bless you too. Kerry

[hihannula]

Thank you for the website. I live in Canada and will check to see if I can get the brand of spray you are using. If not, I’m sure I’ll find something similar. Thanks for responding. Cheers Holly