Vitamin E and Coumadin

[Herb M]

I have read several articles that caution against using vitamin E for people taking blood thinners. The same type of caution exists for aspirin, but my cardiologist recommended I take a baby aspirin daily. Does anyone have any experience taking Vitamin E with or without the physicians OK? There are reports that indicate a benefit in taking E along with other supplements to prevent prostate cancer and heart disease.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi hnm,

I take a 400 iu of Vit E every day. I have been for over 1 1/2 yrs since my surgery and since being on Coumadin.

Vit E is a blood thinner too. So, it will effect your INR. However, as long as you do not take mega doses, and as long as you take the same amount every day, you can stablize your Coumadin dose. My INR have been very stable.

Rob

 

[Perrster]

Vitamins

Vitamins

hnm,

I'm "popping" my daily 400 I.U. of Vitamin E as I write this text. My cardiologist insists on vitamins. He also has me take Magnesium, Selenium, Vit. C, and a Centrum Silver. Of course, I still need to take his recommended daily pharmaceutical drug therapy! I sure wish I could get off that damn expensive Altace!

As Rob said, as long as your intake (vitamins, foods too) is consistent, your INR should stabilize. I'm still messing with my INR (checking every two weeks now-was once a month) as I am battling cholesterol via a "natural route" (with Red Yeast Rice, exercise, diet, etc). I've been concentrating on Soy Protein supplementation which has not hurt me in any way (actually I think I'm feeling better because of it!), but it has affected my INR readings.

I have a PT on Monday, 8/6. I will post the results.

Best regards.

PerryA

 

[Herb M]

Janie, Vitamin K helps the blood to clot, so it works against the anti-clotting properties of Coumadin.

 

[Christina]

I am taking approx. 600 IU of vitamine E. (d-alpha-tocopherol) and I have to test twice a week otherwise my INR can get too low. I have been taking this much or more for years, but since I am not working out as heavy as I used to, I have cut it down to approx. 600 per day without any problems.

Christina
mechanical St. Jude's

 

[Herb M]

Christina, Since Vitamin E acts as an anti-coagulant, this would tend to raise your INR. Do you know what causes your INR to get too low?

 

[Marty]

Vitamin E not for Coumadin patients!

Vitamin E not for Coumadin patients!

The role of Vitamin E in heart disease is still controversial and unproven. One thing is known however; vitamin E supplements can cause bleeding particularly in patients taking any kind of blood thinner. The American Heart Association does not recommend taking Vitamin E supplements.

 

[ticktock]

Vit E/Magnesium/Aspirin

Vit E/Magnesium/Aspirin

I take all three!! Ecotrin 81 mg daily, Magnesium 400 mg daily and Vit E 400,000 IU daily. I have been on this regimen since 10/99, and it was prescribed by Denton Cooley. The Magnesium has been AMAZING in reducing arrythmia, which I have suffered with for over 20 years. Some brilliant Doc finally said, gee, every time you complain of arrythmia's, you seem to have a VERY low Mg. Duhhhhhh.... I have this idea, Doc....

The aspirin (Ecotrin) works on clotting factors in the blood which are not affected by Coumadin. The Vitamin E works the same way. By taking all three, you cover more of the basis. It has never been claimed that Coumadin acts on ALL clotting factors. I like the odds of taking all three!! Oh yeah, dont forget Persantine. Another clot inhibitor! I take that too!! Does this account for my long success with Coumadin?
mindy

 

[Herb M]

Mindy Jo, Is that a mistype when you said you are taking 400,00 IU of Vitamin E. That seems like several mouthfulls and dangerous.

 

[Christina]

Message to Herb..

Since two weeks I have not had a doctor and I have been completely on my own with the home testing, and I have been doing fine. I am so amazed, because I was kind a scared to do this alone, but so far so good.
The last doctor got fired because his Coumadin dosages for me would have landed me right back in the hospital with a blood clot or worse.
I am trying to get another doctor, but the doctor I had in mind called and told me that my case is out of her league, and she does not feel comfortable enough to handle the Coumadin thing. So I had to look elsewhere. Have an appointment with a specialist next Monday. Hopefully, his "bedside" manners are acceptable and he treats me like a human being with a brain.
I don't really know what causes my INR to get so low at times. My diet is pretty consistant, and at times I have a difficult time to chew yet more salad so my vitamine K will stay about the same. I live in Arizona, and the temps are very hot right now, so that might have someting to do with it also.
Like many of us say here on the forum, INR stands for: "IT'S NEVER RIGHT".

Hope you are well.

Christina
Mechanical St. Jude's 8/7/2000 & 8/18/2000
Coumadin

 

[ken]

Vitamins

Vitamins

Hi Janie:

An excellent source for vitamins is the VitaminShoppe http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/

I have been using them for years. They are fast, reliable & have great prices & you can also order by phone or check if the items you order are in stock. They discount all brands from 20% to 40% which they vary monthly. There is also a monthly catalog which you should sign up for.

Ken

 

[ticktock]

ack!

ack!

Herb
Yowsa!! I take 400 mg of Vitamin E daily. Dont know where my mind went..... PUMPHEAD! It happens.

 

[Icarus]

Vitamin E & Coumadin

Vitamin E & Coumadin

Herb,
I have been taking 1000 Mg of Vitamin E since way before my Mitral Valve replacement and continue the same with the addition of an 81Mg aspirin (Baby aspirin) after the surgery (2 years ago). I believe that as long as you stay consistant with your diet and Vitamins and not forget either of them, your INR should stay the same.
Keep your eye on your INR.
>>Icarus

 

[ticktock]

good go old chap

good go old chap

Icarus
Very well said!! That is my general M.O.
Keep your diet relatively the same, your
vitamins and drugs the same, your activity
fairly the same over a week and your INR
WILL work out.

Good common sense.

No Fear
mindy