Hematocrit

[loretta]

My INR has been pretty low numbers started about 8 days ago with home testing of 2.1 . ( I have a St. Jude valve) The night before this test I had some brussel sprouts(not much) & Pesto sauce (made from basil). Basil is not written up in any of the lists I have for vitamin K.

Anyway since then I have tested 5 times once at dr. office . INR has been 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 & 2.6 again 2 days ago. My usual dose of Coumadin had been 5 mg. twice a week & 4 mg. the rest of the week. (30 total) Past 7 days I have taken 34 mg. I will test today to see the out come . My question is this
my last fasting blood tests in dec my Hematocrit was 46.5 , the top of the range is 45.0. Im not sure what the Hematocrit is. Can this be causing these low numbers, & I also have started caradio & pulmonary maint exercise at the hospt. again. (3 itmes a week)
I have the Inratio , since the Coag u check was called back. It's so easy & fast i love it. Don't think my dr. likes it too much because you don't callibrate it . Thanks everyone.

 

[Ross]

Normal hematocrit ranges are:

Hematocrit Male: 45 - 62%
Female: 37 - 48%

So no, it's not the cause of your lower numbers. Generally, if its a hematocrit problem, you'll get errors each time you test. Not always, but usually.

Brussels will bring you down and whether basil is in the charts or not, it's green, so I'm sure there is some K content. That and the increase in excercise is what is bringing the numbers down a bit.

Nutrients per Serving for Basil, fresh Amounts per 2 tbsp (5g)
Vitamin K 21.8 mg 27%

I guess my biggest question is why change the dose? Your in range. Now if you want to eat more greens, yeah kick it up a notch, but you appear to be fine.

 

[loretta]

Ross I am happy to hear all this from you certainly makes me feel better. I am kind of a worry wort. My Cardio, wants me in the higher end of the range of 2.5 to 3.5. Past couple of months I seem to have been staying around 2.6, 2.8. Which is fine for me. I had subdural hematoma in Oct. Nov. of 2005.
Do you like the In ratio ? Thanks again Loret

 

[Ross]

Yes I do. So your going from 30mg a week to 34mg a week? I think you may be on the high side, but see what happens.

 

[loretta]

You are right Ross, I test on thurssdays & sure enough it was 3.9 a little while ago. And I already went to my cardio re hab session this morning. (one hour) Spinach works right away for me but I just nevr know how much of it to eat today. I'm waiting for DR. to call me back to let me know how much Coumadin I should take this evening. Fluctuates pretty often. Any hints?
Loretta

 

[Ross]

If you were at 30, I would have only gone up 2 more mg to 32 over the week. That 4 mg jump is like an extra dose for you, which is just a little too much. I would simply drop to 32mg divided the best way possible over 7 days and then test again.

3.9 isn't a big deal. Just back off 2 mg and retest when you've had 7 full days of 32 or 32.5mg.

5mg x 6 days and 2 or 2.5 one day.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Low hematocrit (blood iron level) = unstable low INR's for myself! Once they placed me on a RX supplement to keep the hematocrit in range.....my INR leveled out. Have been taking it ever since (7 years).

Would highly suggest visting a hemotologist for a consult.

Good luck!

 

[KristyW]

I also have started caradio & pulmonary maint exercise at the hospt. again. (3 itmes a week) :

BINGO


Exercise is a huge reason for the drop in INR. We always wonder if it's something we ate, but if our activity level increases...our INR drops...very simple. If you are going to keep up with the exercise, you'll possibly need to increase your Coumadin/warfarin dose.