Low inr - again

[dawnz]

I guess my query straddles both weight loss and heart health as my inr has dropped to 1.6 despite being an optimum 2.3 the week before.

This has happened two or three times over the past couple of months. I am aware of avoiding copious amounts of certain greens, but wonder if the no to very low carb eating (which is suiting me very well) is having an impact?

The only time prior to my changed regime that my levels changed were with medication being added or dose changed. I don't want to be scuppering myself, so has anyone any suggestions?

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

I don't have any idea how to interpret those reading, dawnz, or about your particular cardiac condition. You will know how significant it is, and will maybe need to make some adjustments to get the balance right between weight loss and heart health.

There may be members here who have more insight but I also suggest you discuss it with whoever in your medical team you have most confidence in

[dawnz 3st 7lbs in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thankyou that is useful. The guy from the warfarin clinic was on the phone to me for ages, very helpful and has adjusted the meds, but I just wondered if there was anything I could be doing for myself.

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

Are you taking blood-thinning medications? If you're eating a healthy diet, most of the modern drugs for CVD management will do more harm than good, preventing your body's natural homeostatic mechanisms from working properly. Ask your doctor to adjust them, or preferably wind them down to zero unless there's a solid clinical justification for their continued use. It's an unfortunate fact that these powerful drugs are often handed out simply so that the doctor can say he's done something when ambulance-chasing lawyers knock on the door.

As far as I'm aware low-carb diets have no impact either way on clotting factors.

What are you eating, generally? Can you describe a typical day? I really don't think diet is the cause of the problem here, but it'd be worth checking you're getting adequate nutrition.

[dawnz 3st 7lbs in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Thankyou, I feel reassured that I have not complicated things by improving my eating. I have a set of heart issues and the warfarin is for paroxysmal AF. I am happy with the care I receive, and my sister is a fabulous watchdog, so I know exactly what you mean about stuff handed out groundlessly. Believe me I would take no medication, and never did before successive medical calamities struck.

Thanks to the weight loss forum my diet typically consists of 3 meals daily at least one with fish, meat or other protein. Lots of vegetables and salads though not loads of leafy green ones. I have become very creative though I say so myself. I don't eat soya, much to my sisters chagrin - a. I don't like it. b. its a cash crop for the slashers and burners. c. impacts on inr. I haven't eaten bread for two years and don't badly crave other carbs. I want to shed the 4.5 stone I have gained in the last nine years not least because I will be having surgery in the not too distant future.

Sorry this is long, there is no one word answer really.

[TheAwfulToad Visitor in reply to dawnz]

Seems like you got this.

My mum has AF and I realise it can be scary. All drugs that interfere with homeostasis loops (like warfarin and clotting factors) have a very odd dose-response relationship; it's in their nature that your body will attempt to adapt to them and that regular dose adjustment will be needed. The issue here is almost certainly nothing to do with your diet.

Just make sure you're getting adequate fat in your diet (protein is not a viable energy source), and do whatever exercise you feel capable of. A strong cardiovascular system will be more capable of absorbing the occasional assaults from fibrillation episodes.

Well done for avoiding soy, by the way it drives me mad that the diet industry promotes it as "healthy".

[dawnz 3st 7lbs in reply to TheAwfulToad]

That is good to hear, I am feeling so much better in many ways, it is a cycle of carrying less weight around therefore doing more on the good days. I always want to do my bit health wise so no adjustments needed!