Warfarin and diet

[Rignold]

I know this is not a medical advice forum but just wondered if anyone has any experience of being on Warfarin or other anti coagulants and how it affects their diet.

My cardiologist has just recommended I go on them, permanently, and having looked at the info, it says foods to avoid include anything rich in Vit K, such as spinach, kale, avocado, broccoli, eggs, oats, liver and a few others.

That is pretty much 80% of my regular diet. If I took those out I would be living on tuna and yogurt.

Anyone had similar?

[Tombenoly]

My husband has been on warfarin for years and has continued to eat anything and everything including drinking cranberry juice. He seems to still be ok

[Rignold 3kg]

That's good to know, thanks. It's difficult to know how much store to set in Googled information. I have just been reading a medical paper that says in effect as long as the amount of Vit K containing foods you eat is consistent then it's okay, but if you eat none and then go on a 2 day spinach binge it causes problems.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

My friend is on it and can't eat any of those foods at all. Speak to your Dr, way too important to get it wrong!

[Mummytotwo in reply to Rignold]

Please avoid a 2 day spinach binge!

[Fatnorthernlass]

My husband is a pharmacist and says vitamin K increases the anticoagulant effects (INR), so you have to have additional blood tests or reduce k foods considerably. Can they refer you to a dietitian maybe? A shame for your diet but better than the alternative I presume?😕

[Gemini64]

Hi

My dad is 89 and has been on Warfarin for years and has never restricted any foods but because your diet is so precise without carbs fats etc you should definitely ask to see a dietician . Good luck x

[GoogleMe]

I'd echo the recommendation to ask for a referral to an NHS dietician. S/he may well not be terribly keen on your underlying LCHF dietary principles but should work with you on something acceptable.

The person I know on warfarin avoids spinach and perhaps one or two other things I forget but not your full list.

I do wonder if it might also be worth discussing your diet with the cardiologist - effectively the information implies that you are already on an 'anti-coagulant diet' if 80% of your diet is these foods, and perhaps if the doctor was aware of that, the drug recommendation might change.

[Rignold 3kg]

I'm not on a specific diet of any kind. My macro split tends to be 15 to 20 percent carb, and protein/carb more or less equal on average. I have a protein target which I hit and lets the fats fall where they will.

I have restricitive pericarditis and extensive pericardial calcification which results in enlarged atria and elevated venous pressure, hence the anticoagulation. I also have frequent atrial ectopics, atrial flutter and atrial and ventricular fibrillation. Other than which I am fighting fit.

Am a bit miffed by all this really as have only been allowed back to exercise a month or so ago after a whole year off due to this tomfoolery, and can see they are going to try and curtail my activities again.

[Ceals in reply to Rignold]

All of that sounds serious stuff Rignold maybe you could cut back exercise rather than cut it out.

It does sound like you could do with seeing a dietitian, your cardio specialist will have your best interest at heart but I do recognise your frustration.

Take care

[Janecad]

Hi Rignold

I'm on permanent warfarin and was advised that as long as there were no sudden, major changes in diet as far as vitamin k is concerned then to carry on.

Was advised to leave cranberries and grapefruit alone.

My INR has been stable for the last 12 months or more.

Best of luck with this, it took me a while to feel settled with my warfarin and daily life, travel etc but it's fine now. I just remember to take at roughly the same time daily.

Just take the advice from the professionals.

[Rignold 3kg in reply to Janecad]

arggh! Grapefruit? noooooo!!! may have no pleasures left in life?

Thanks Janecad , that's what I was hoping would be the case. I will of course be grilling my cardiologist thoroughly but it is good to hear firt hand experiences.