I am from Vancouver Island and had Open Heart Surgery in 2022. After my surgery they put you into this room to watch a video on Warfrin and then that's it home you go.
Needless to say when I started taking Warfrin my INR was all over the map and still is but getting a bit better. The thing I am having problems with is how much of the Greens do I eat. I know I am allowed 90 micrograms a day. So ever trying measuring 1/2 cup of broccoli still had low INR's
My INR since I have been eating broccoli 2 or 3 florets along with cauliflower and a Ice Berg Salad has been low 2.2. Okay so instead of 4 wee pieces of florets I cut back to 2 and still came back 2.2.
Frustrating you betcha..So I have decided to take myself off broccoli all together and see what happens on Sat when I go for my next blood work.
I need help from all you nice people to the portions of my Vit K what am I doing wrong?
My doctor has put me on 7.5 mg of Warfrin I was on 7 for the longest time and things were pretty good for a month then came a new addition to my diet broccoli and everything changed my numbers went low. I always get so down when it comes back low and blame myself to what I am doing wrong. When opening my results from getting my bloodwork each week I do so with 1 eye open and the other closed and say a prayer.
So if anyone can help guide me to my portions that would be awesome and keep me on the right track with my INR numbers. What do you all eat taking Warfrin and how much??
Wish me Luck this Sat in hopes that I figured out that broccoli is gone from my diet. I will stay on Cauliflower and my Salad which I have learned to love and hope this works for me.
Written by
13131958
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes I am very consistent having the same amount of florets and INR stayed the same at 2.2
Could be broccoli is not in the cards for me..Even tried for a week 2 pieces of florets with Cauliflower and a Salad same result. I am just needing to know what portions to eat like if I have broccoli do I omit my Cauliflower and Salad. I am still experimenting and sometimes it is very frustrating for me. The key word is consistency and having the same amount to get a good INR result in my range.
Hi there! Ontario here. I'm sorry to read of your struggle, but glad I'm not alone. I am the Same!!!! Diagnosed with aps in November and put on warfarin. I was eating around 300 mcg of vitamin k by way of greens and my INR was around 2.6 once I was on the warfain for a couple of weeks... then for some reason it went down to 1.6 . I have now dropped to around 200 mcg of k and my INR is up to just over 2. I am supposed to stay between 2 and 3 They keep increasing my warfarin dosage! It causes me so much anxiety and like you, I blame myself, but I am meticulous about tracking every morsel of food in chronometer which counts all nutrients including vitamin k. How could my INR go lower despite reducing my vitamin k intake. This is so tough!!! I detest this medication but I had a mild ( Thankfully) stroke last May which is how I've arrived at where I am now, so I recognize the need for it. I do take solace in the fact that the are folks who have managed this for many decades, but I also wonder who will do this for me when I am very old and maybe but as sharp? Terrifying!!! I wish the best for you and if you keep me posted on your progress with any tips, I will happily do the same!
First: the modern approach is that warfarin dosage should depend on K intake -not the other way round,
Second: Some foods and drinks thin the blood and can influence INR. Ginger is a big offender in this category,
Third: We are all different. Our 30 +trillion cells have standard as well as individual relationships. Modern science tells us that our microbiomes are important in influencing our health.
Fourth: Some patients( like me) are stable when on a fluctuating doseage. I take 7 mgs 3x a week, 6 mgs 4x a week. That way my bloods attempt to negate warfarin's effects and remain thick are frustrated.
I have been on warfarin for 23 years now and am rarely out of range --as in less than 10 times total. Why? Because my diagnosing doctor told me to eat salads with greens every day, and that my ideal do
Again, we are all different and info about microbiome now explains a lot of those differences. Good luck!
Yes we are all different for sure in the dosages we all have to take. My Dr does change my Warfrin if my numbers remain low for a few weeks. I am now taking 7.5 and my INR stayed at 2,2 and then went to 3,,Hooray and then back down to 2,2. I am very consistent in what I eat each day. But I wanted to know what other's eat each day and how much that would be a big help to me, I have come off Tea and Coffee along with my Dr taking me off most of my vitamins as most Vitamins he said and the pharmacy has said most vitamins react with Warfrin.
When my doctor has changed my dosage's it seems to take body time to adjust to the change.
I was good for 1 month with my INR in range and then I decided I needed to try something more like broccoli or asparagus and then it has been not the greatest since I have done this.
So frustrating!
Can hardly wait for that magic pill my Dr tells me about that one fine day all of us will not have to take Warfrin. They use it in Europe apparently but Canada and USA have yet to approve my Dr said. So would that not be the cat's meow to get this pill and not have to worry about measuring and what foods we can or can not eat. He figures 5 years it will be in USA and Canada.
So frustrating! I weigh and measure everything and use cronometer to track the micrograms of vitamin k so it stays very very consistent on intake. Can't imagine why I'm jumping around. Makes me wonder if some people just can't take warfarin. Frankly it causes me so much anxiety, which is very unhelpful. Thank you to all who offer tips and tricks. I hope to be able to help someone else someday.
I hear you and wondered that myself about the body being able to digest Warfrin.
I have heard that people that have certain stomach issues may have trouble with Warfrin.
I measure and weigh like you and still my INR goes up and down. My anxiety comes when I go to press the button for my results..I think to myself...Please Please...
Like you I am very grateful for this site and the communication to support each other.
When I try to explain this to family members or friends the consistency of my foods each day I get the "Deer in the Headlights Look". I just hope this pill that my Dr knows about comes to Canada and USA sooner than later. It is used now in Europe he says but has not been approved here in Canada as yet. My Dr figures maybe 5 years it may be available. Then we will all be free of Blood Work and Vit K intake. Won't that be fabulous. So something to look forward to. In the meantime we just plug away and try our best at this.
Can I ask you what you eat for your supper and How much?
I have 1 cup Cauliflower 2 or3 Asparagus Tips not the whole Spear and a wee Salad for my Vit K.
Like I said I just cut out broccoli the last few days so Sat will be an interesting Blood Work for me ..Fingers crossed..
I am a greens girl! I used to eat 4 - 6 oz per day. Now I eat 1 oz of spinach as far as greens go, then I mix in other vegetables to get my vitamin k consumption up to a consistent 175-200 mcg per day. Basically that means for me, either a green smoothie for breakfast or a spinach omelet otlr a small salad for lunch which still leaves me room for other vegetables throughout the day that are lower in vitamin k. I swear I will either end up with a nervous breakdown or an eating disorder. Keep in touch please with how you're making out. I was 2 last week and they want me around 2.5 so they increased my dose to 8 mg mon and Fri then 9 mg the rest of the days. Ughhh!!!! Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Okay I see because you eat all greens your micrograms are a lot higher than mine. Mine quota for the day is 90 micrograms. This actually has been a positive for me in that I hardly used to eat veggies now I eat veggies for my life. I am glad in that respect that Warfrin got me onto veggies that are good and healthy for anyone.
I know what you mean.... My anxiety when I am waiting for my results I look with one eye open and the other closed for my result.
My range is 2.5 to 3.5 on 7.5 dosage Just maybe your dosage needs to be changed not what you are eating if you are being consistent which you are. I also found that when they did switch my dosage my body was going WHAT! again and it did alter my INR for a week.
Each person is different to what there body will accept taking Warfrin. I had that thought also that my body just does not accept Warfrin that easy.
I will post on Sat or Sunday my results after coming off the broccoli and see if this worked.
Aww Thanks for asking about my results. I also was thinking about your numbers.
First my theory was right taking myself off of broccoli ,,Boo and switched over to Asparagus which I love. So I had for the week 2 or 3 Asparagus tips and about 1/2 to 1 cup cauliflower. It looks like I will need to up either veggie just a touch to get totally in my range. My result came back at 2.4 and I was overjoyed with tears thinking it is working. So maybe on the right path sure hope so. See what next Sat brings me.
I want to ask you what does APS stand for and could you tell me about this Syndrome. I was thinking your range is also 2.5 but you take a higher micrograms then what I do. Could it possibly be that maybe one of your veggies is to much for your body to digest and since like you said you add other veggies in your diet maybe try cutting back maybe the spinach and see what happens to your INR if it goes up a touch. You don't want it going into the 4's or higher but maybe try experimenting with this and see what happens.
Broccoli for me was a No No but I was just eating a few florets and still my numbers were not moving staying at 2.2. They ask for consistency in our diet so try holding back a touch on one of your higher micrograms of veggies. I know broccoli is high. I have a sheet my nurse practitioner gave me that helps you with the micrograms and content of Vit K foods. I see that spinach is very high 1/2 cup is 444 micrograms cooked and 1 cup raw is 145. Kale is the highest.
If you have a Dr ask him about this list it may help you like it has helped me.
Let me know if you decide to try this and how it works for you. Do you go 1 time a week for Blood Work?
Have a Great Day and Thanks again for your caring nature.
I go for bloodwork on Tuesday, so I'll have an idea then. My issue is that when they tested my blood back in December after a couple of weeks on warfarin, it was 2.6, so just about perfect for me. I continued to eat exactly as I had been, and after the New Year, it had dropped to 1.5 which made no sense, so I started ratcheting back the kale and Spinach. I was previously eating 3 - 4 oz per day, and slowly cut it back to now which is .5 oz of spinach and 1 oz of another less vitamin k rich green, like iceberg lettuce. So like you, I will see this week what is happening. I do eat quite a high protein diet because I lift weights, but it really has not changed since I started on the warfarin. I include everything in my food app, including the protein powders which contain small amounts of vitamin k, so they are part of my total daily amount of vitamin k. Right now, I'm down to about 175 mcg per day, so we will see what happens this week. I started out going in for blood draws, twice a week, then once a week, then with it so stable, they let me go 5 weeks, and it's after that, that I became unstable. Now it's been once a week. Luckily I live 2 blocks from the hospital! I did purchase a coaguchek, because I am heading to Vancouver in a few weeks to visit my son and his family, so I can test out there if need be. I can also go to a lifelabs , which is pretty close to his home.
So APS is Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Long name, short answer is - my blood clots quicker than it should. I only found out because I had a very mild stroke last May with no other risk factors so the doctors tested for APS. Apparently, it's not hereditary and you can develop it at anytime in your life. I don't know much more about it then you to be honest - I've been so busy and stressed trying to manage the warfarin, that I haven't taken a deep dive in. I was also taking bioidentical hormones, which I feel was the catalyst for the stroke along withe the APS. As a very healthy, active 58 year old woman, I was flabbergasted....matter of fact, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around having an illness. That being said, I can handle that, more than I can handle the warfarin anxiety. It seems to be all I think about these days and it's crippling at times.
I'm so so over the moon for you, that you are in range! You must be so relieved! When do you go back for more bloodwork?
Your mini stroke coming out of no where really must of frighten you and now trying to figure out Wafrin for you so you can have good INR readings.
Wow you are so active and I am so sorry that Warfrin has taken a hold of your life but you sound like a strong person that will work through this and with the support this wonderful site it will happen. I will always be a good support buddy for you. Warfrin has also has taken a hold of my life but I am learning to try and figure this out one way or another because we are in this for the long haul. I sometimes look at Warfrin as a good thing it is keeping me alive and I am surely okay with that.
Yep I used to go twice a week to Lifelabs and felt like I was part of the staff. I go every Sat now and my veins Thank me.
How accurate is your coaguchek? I am thinking of purchasing one after reading other people's stories. W here would be the best place to purchase one in Canada?
I was elated last night and today a little more drawn back thinking I would like to see what next Sat brings after I have a little less of my asparagus this week. My number should go up a bit more but I tell ya I had a big smile on my face when I opened the results page. I go every Sat however, I am going to Alberta in March to visit family and I am all ready planning my grocery shop for veggies when I get there. I will try my best to stick to my diet there. I may cheat 1 day but I think that is allowed. Hard to go out friends places for dinner since I have to be consistent. Warfrin really does rule our world but where would we be without it.
That is awesome that you lift weights and keep active. We have a pool and I use that year round for Aqua Exercise. Warfrin tends to put on pounds so many things to watch for but we have no choice. A good thing to keep active and continue eating the right amount of veggies for us both and we will be on on our way to many years left to enjoy.
Please let me know your outcome on Tues I sure will be thinking about you and hoping for the best
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I haven't used my coaguchek yet, but the nurse who manages my INR recommended it. The machine was partially covered by my husband's employment benefits plan, but the lances and test kits are not and they can be pricey, so I only plan on using it when travelling and even then, only when I'm not near a blood lab. But based on her recommendation, I can only conclude that they are fairly accurate! It would be much easier because I have exactly 1 vein that they use to draw blood, and they just hope it keeps holding out!
I will definitely let you know how I make out on Tuesday! Till then, take good care and thanks so much for being my blood buddy! I feel like I'm not so alone!😘
Thanks for the info on the coaguchek. Right now my Dr says go and have fun..LOL.So I will listen to my Dr and try my best at my veggie intake.
LOL I know what you mean exactly about a good vein holding out. I have tiny veins so they use a butterfly needle on me most times. I am so use to the pokes I watch the whole thing. Sometimes it takes them 2 or 3 tries then they get the more experienced person to come and draw the blood. Yep sometimes I feel like a porcupine..lol.My husband will ask how many pokes this time...lol
Those girls at the Lab work so very hard sometimes with out lunch breaks or coffee breaks. They are so short staffed and where we live it is growing so fast. Not sure in a few years what will happen just glad I make my appointments 2 months in advance.
I always wonder how the elderly manage this on there own...Hmmm
You also take care. Very soon we both will be on the Happy Non Stress Trail
Look forward to chatting on Tues. You will be in my thoughts..Think positive.
I think the coaguchek could be easier, simply because it uses your finger and not your veins - or vein in my case. Could not agree with you more! I go to the hospital, but the girls that are working there, are such good people! They work in a pressure cooker these days and they are not paid nearly enough! Yes, I look forward to the Non Stress times - although I will say that this forum has done more to alleviate my stress than any other thing I've tried. Just knowing you're not alone (nobody I know has ever heard of my autoimmune disease), is comforting! I'll let you know after I hear from my nurse tomorrow!
For as little as I would use it I think I will keep the gals employed. I think like if you are travelling like yourself it is great way to keep tabs. Yes they don't make much monies for all that they do and they are always so polite. A great bunch that is for sure. I always tell them how great of job they are all doing and I bring them chocolates once in awhile to show my appreciation.
Could not agree more about this site. I came across it by sheer accident. I was looking to start a support group. Victoria has this and also a gym that people can use for free if you have had a stroke , heart attack, bypasses or Valve replacement like I have had. However, it is a 3 hour drive each way from where we live.
I was becoming more down and thought I surely can not be the only one out there with 100 questions. I know each person has there story and each is different but even if you can chat with 1 person that is going through what you are going through it makes all the difference in the world. This site is great that everyone supports each other from all over the map and it is wonderful! You realize you are not alone in the battle of INR stresses and also your autoimmune disease and other.
INR is 2.3 today, which my nurse is very happy with. Whew!!! Now I don't have to go back for 2 weeks which is at least a break from the anxiety. Next time I go in, she will meet me, and we'll do a quick tutorial on my coaguchek machine and compare it to the hospital INR blood test for accuracy - we will do that every 3 months. This means I will be able to travel for longer periods and spend more time out on the west coast - which is where my family, and my heart is frankly. I hope you're having an amazing day! Please stay in touch!😊
Woo Hoo! I am so happy for you. It is coming along so maybe to up your INR a bit just pull back on one of your veggies that has a lot of Vit K in it and you should be set or continue doing what you are doing seems to be working. That is such great news that you can travel and be with your family.
I am leaving to see my family on Mar 20 and hope to Hanna that I will be stabilized by then. Right now my Dr has no concerns about me travelling but I would not want to stay longer than a week right now. No where to get my blood checked. Have to pay out of pocket which I would think would be expensive. To bad all the provinces don't work together so we could just walk into any lab to get our INR done. Oh well wishful thinking.
My NP just called and my Dr is very happy with my 2.4 even though it is still not in range but close enough he said.
Like you I was beaming after my result after all the hard work I put in and still putting in. Good thing I am blond hides the wisdom streaks of anxiety.
Just about to go for a nice walk on the boardwalk and enjoy the ocean view and chat with my friend. You have a awesome day also!!
Found it! Had to search on my phone as opposed to my laptop. Thank you again! I also downloaded a comprehensive document that is searchable. I can post the website if you like!
Thanks so much for sending this link! It is the cat's meow and then some.
I didn't get a chance to view it all yesterday but WOWZERS! Like hitting a Gold Mine.
Have a Great Evening..
I am counting down the days until my Blue Jays Play its like Christmas morning for me. I am a huge fan and then some. My friends have a going away party for me when Jay season starts..lol.. Spring Training games start this weekend..Woo Hoo!! It also takes my mind off thinking about my INR 24/7
Well another anxiety moment on Sat checking for my INR result..Geesh my heart rate alone must go up a bunch with the anticipation.
My result came back at 2.5 so hopefully still on the right track with dropping broccoli from my diet.. Asparagus and cauliflower seems to be doing the trick. I have cut back the portions on both Broc and Caul and turned out okay. I am now in rangeville.
Hope your INR on Tues comes back great! Let me know how it goes for you.
Hi, I also live on Vancouver Island. I have been on warfarin for 24 years now, and have never been given a number to stick to with vitamin k. I eat lots of green regularly and it will change with the seasons. The doctor will adjust my dose as needed. Don’t worry about the mg of warfarin you have to take. It’s how much you need at the time. I have been up to 13 mg a day when I tried being vegan, and now it’s 8.5 mg and I keep frozen spinach cubes, from super store,on hand and throw them into food if I’ve been slacking off the greens.
Good luck, it is doable, and soon it will be second nature. I’ve not hear of the new magic pill coming! Something to look forward to.
Oh my gosh - Thank you so much ....this is music to my ears!!!! I love my vegetables so much! If you don't mind me asking, after being on warfarin for so long, how often do you go in for testing?
Thank-you for your reply I have been given a number right from the get go. I guess maybe it depends on what kind of surgery you have had or that each person is different to your micrograms depending upon what each person as gone through. I am still trying to wrap my head around taking the 90 mcg. Having to monitor my number with more than 90 for me I can't imagine but we have to work with what our Dr tells us to do.
My doctor monitors my INR and adjusts my warfrin depending on my INR so I go with what he tells me to take. He is a very very good Dr and I am blessed to have him watch over me going through this. It has been a journey and a roller coaster for both of us. However, I am one to never give up hope that things will work itself out with perseverance.
I take 7.5 and for me he has said he would not like to see me take higher dosages if possible. That means change of diet along with dosage changes if need be to try and stabilize the INR. My body does not adjust well to dosage changes for some reason. Maybe because of my stomach issues Warfrin does not digest well when my stomach is acting up.
I seem to be on the right path with my theory since my INR went up but it still could come up a bit more. However, now I know I think what I have to do. Fingers crossed.
It s on my mind everyday when it comes to eating and especially hard when you go out for dinner or on vacation. It will always be with us we just have to figure out the right way for each of us to deal with this.
Yes I can't wait either for the magic pill my Dr says hopefully in 5 years.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Vitamin K for emergencies
Do you need to avoid vitamin K food on fragmin?
Tooth extracted 
Trouble getting INR Stable
