Coumadin Minimum Daily K And Diet

Diets and restrictions seem to be all over the place. My feeling on Coumadin, is to keep my vitamin K level on the low side, because I'm not a consistent eater. I cannot rely on a consistent level of higher K. So I'm thinking a lower daily input of K means less change/difference because of a non-consistent diet.

So far it's worked, I'm right where I need to be, my IRN(?), is steady.

Well, my sister is all over my back, because I won't eat Blueberries or Spinach (I like both but seldom eat either) ... same goes with a few other foods.

My doctor, has told me that I can eat all the green beans I want and I related this to my sister that he said green beans were almost a "freebie", no need to control amount.

Well, my sister is certain that I'm going to kill myself (she often makes me think of it), and on further checking, green beans do, in fact have more vitamin K, than I'm comfortable with ...

Where in the HHHEEELLLL, can someone find no B.S. information on Coumadin diets ... none of this B.S. that virtually anything is okay ... consistent ... cause I'm single, live alone and AM NOT CONSISTENT, in my diet.

I just want no B.S. "FACTS", on keeping my K level at or near the daily allowable level ... I don't want different people telling me all the different things I can eat/should eat ... consistently & daily

Am I right, to "choose", to stay at the daily allowable vitamin K and forego the Blueberries, Spinach and green lettuce, which I have NEVER eaten consistently?

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Hello, John! How are you?

Yes, you are right. As a matter of fact, unless someone has consistently eaten a high amount of foods that contain vitamin K, most doctors prefer that you not change your regular diet, so you can keep eating as you usually do and still get your INR under control.

I understand your sister's concern, but as long as you are getting the basic nutrients you need and aren't deficient, then you're fine and not at risk of dying due to not eating those specific foods.

As a matter of fact, when my dad was put on Coumadin about 16 or 17 years, before he died, the only adjustment the doctor had him make was to stay away from eating a lot of spinach, because he ate it a lot and was taking in far too much vitamin K. From that time on, he never ate it, or any dark green leafy vegetables and though he didn't pass away, until he was 85 and had cancer that he refused to treat, I don't think he'd ever touched a blueberry in his life. :-)

And really, lets face it, you're an adult and are entitled to eat as you wish, even if your sister doesn't like it. Unless your doctor feels there is something to be concerned about, I think she needs to relax and leave you alone.

The FDA lists the typical side effects of Coumadin as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, easy bruising and increased risk of bleeding.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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Evidently, the decision to cut out high "K" foods that, although I actually do like, but don't eat consistantly, was correct and my coumadin level has been adjusted twice by only 1mg, each time for an entire week, in the past month.

Now I can ask my doctors about supplements ...

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