Coumadin question.

sam061 · 11-07-2009, 01:10 PM

My coudamn protime has always been 2.4-2.7. Thursday evening I ate a bowl of green leaf lettuce. I wanted to see how much it would lower my protime level and if it would stay in range 2-3. I went to my clinic and got it taken. I was called Friday late afternoon and told to skip the Saturday dosage because my Protime was 4.0.

My question is how is this possible? I was expecting it to be around 2.1 or lower after all the green I had eaten. Leaf Lettuce is high in Vit K.

Thanks for any response. - Sam

Machaon · 11-07-2009, 02:41 PM

From what I understand, there is not a direct, immediate relationship between eating Vitamin K rich foods and coudamn protime, unless the level of Vitamin K in your diet is consistent over time.

I've been tracking my protime for over 20 years. I also eat 5-6 large leafy salads per day. My protime is somewhere around 1.4

I would like my protime higher, but I refuse to change my healthy diet. So I am at a higher risk of stroke, but I am willing to roll the dice on this issue.

A protime of 4.0 is kinda high, and increases the risk of bleeding to death, or having other bleeding problems, so I can see why they told you to skip a dose.

Good luck figuring out what's best to eat!

sam061 · 11-07-2009, 08:11 PM

Thanks! i needed to hear this. - Sam

Mileena42 · 11-08-2009, 12:36 PM

I don't know who told you to skip your dose of coumadin, but that isn't the proper way to lower your protime. Depending on why you need anticoagulant, skipping a dose might be determental to you.

There are some very informative charts online directing you on getting the right dosage for lowering and raising you INR. It was my understanding that to lower, you would take your weekly amount or even the next dosage and split it in half over two days until you get the range you want. Of course this is much easier if you have a home tester. Good Luck

sam061 · 11-08-2009, 12:50 PM

My doctors PA is the one that called and told me to skip the dosage. I did as she stated and am to continue tonight.

I have atrial fib.

This happened years ago and my doctor took me off of it for five days. At that time my level had been 4.6.

After she called I hate a large salad with broccoli. Last night I had a rather small salad and will continue my coudamin level today. I am to have another protime in two weeks.

I would get a home monitor, but they are too expensive for us. Thank you for your advice. - Sam