Vitamin E and INR

[doyo]

I thought I saw a past thread on Vitamin E at VR.com but could not locate it.

Google returned following links.
As Al stated in his article, there seems to be some conflicting info on the effect and magnitude of effect of Vitamin E on INR.

I am sure some members are taking Vitamin E.
Would you share how much you are taking and any effect on INR you noticed?



http://www.warfarinfo.com/vitamin E.htm (Hey, Al's web stie from Google search! ).

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminE/ (good place to get comprehensive vitamin info)

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990201ap/635.html
(at the end of the page in drug interaction table has Vitamin E)

http://www.ptinr.com/data/templates/article.aspx?a=252&z=26

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2384.htm

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/asktheexperts/expert2.aspx?id=60711


EJ

 

[Blanche]

It has been my understanding that vitamin E affects the platelets and does not involve the coagulation cascade or prothrombin time so there should be no change in INR. There seems to be concerns about the degree that Vitamin E has, but the test for that is very difficult and complicated. There may be few, if any, studies done on this but it certainly is possible that too much vitamin E could be problematic. I have great worries about taking large doses of vitamin E while on anticoagulation.
Blanche

 

[Susie Q]

Vitamin E & INR

Vitamin E & INR

I take 400 IUs of Vitamin E a day. I've taken Shaklee Vitamins for 20-25 years. After reading on this site that you "dose your diet, not diet your dose" I resumed taking most of my vitamins after AVR surgery on 11/9/05. My INR levels have been very erratic & have been within therapeutic range only 9 of 22 times. I'm presently taking 4 days of 12mg & 3 days of 8mg.

I don't think the vitamins are the cause of my low INR levels. Al said that most people with valve surgery have a difficult time keeping their INRs in range, and they are often quite low. About 3 weeks ago I began a new exercise routine which Al said was probably the reaon my levels were dropping again. He said the increased heart rate pumps the blood through the liver more efficiently resulting in faster warfarin metabolism.

Don't know if I've been any help or whether I just helped muddle things.