Coumadin level VERY high

Coumadin level VERY high - help!!!

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Jane - 28 Mar 2008 22:03 GMT

My husband takes Coumadin. He's taken it for almost 10 years. His
INR levels have always been pretty consistent - between 2.1 and 3.0.

He had his level tested today and it's 4.9! I have at least some idea
why. He used to have Carnation Instant Breakfast every morning but
was told to stop about two weeks ago because it contained too much
potassium. Well it also has about 20 units of Vit. K. I knew that
would make a difference, but had no idea what a huge difference. I
wanted him to have his blood tested sooner but he refused until today.

I've been trying to think of what else might be doing this. He
started Lasix two weeks ago. He stopped eating oranges and drinking
orange juice also because of the potassium. He used to eat a few
small tomatoes almost daily - also stopped. Any chance any of these
are culprits. I just cannot think of what else it might be.

Anyway - doctor said no Coumadin today or tomorrow. Then regular dose
next day, and following day another INR check. I am also giving him
brocolli tonight and probably tomorrow.

My question is - how long does the Coumadin stay in the system? I
realize how dangerous a 4.9 reading is. The doctor is gone for the
day and it's Friday afternoon so I can't ask him. I wasn't here when
he called. My husband was so upset that he didn't think to ask any
questions.

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 28 Mar 2008 22:20 GMT

> My husband takes Coumadin. He's taken it for almost 10 years. His
> INR levels have always been pretty consistent - between 2.1 and 3.0.
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> My question is - how long does the Coumadin stay in the system?

Changes in dose of Coumadin do not impact INR until about 2-3 days
later.

> I realize how dangerous a 4.9 reading is. The doctor is gone for the
> day and it's Friday afternoon so I can't ask him. I wasn't here when
> he called. My husband was so upset that he didn't think to ask any
> questions.

Understandably.

Would reassure you with the fact that your husband's INR is likely
already less than 4.9 so that if he has not had a bleeding crisis as
4.9+, he is not likely going to have one at under 4.9.

Laus Deo

http://HeartMDPhD.com/LausDeo

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:

http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/BeHealthier

Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,

Andrew <><
--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Lawful steward of http://EmoryCardiology.com
A latter-day disciple of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/DiscipleNow

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Jane - 01 Apr 2008 01:24 GMT

On Mar 28, 5:20 pm, "Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD"
<heartdo...@emorycardiology.com> wrote:

> > My husband takes Coumadin. He's taken it for almost 10 years. His
> > INR levels have always been pretty consistent - between 2.1 and 3.0.
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
> Lawful steward ofhttp://EmoryCardiology.com
> A latter-day disciple of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/DiscipleNow

Thank you so much for your response.

Just after posting I decided not to read the responses. It's been my
experience in the past that people often relate the bad things that
can happen and I knew it would just scare me even more than I already
was. It's my own fault. I worry too much.

After two days without Coumadin and a serving of broccoli and spinach
his INR is 1.6. That's too low but I'm sure it will go back to normal
in a day or so. It will be tested again in three days.

After reading your post I'm really sorry that I didn't read it
sooner. It would have reassured me.

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 01 Apr 2008 01:47 GMT

> Andrew, in the Holy Spirit, boldly wrote:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> Thank you so much for your response.

Laus Deo :-)

http://HeartMDPhD.com/LausDeo

> Just after posting I decided not to read the responses. It's been my
> experience in the past that people often relate the bad things that
> can happen and I knew it would just scare me even more than I already
> was. It's my own fault. I worry too much.

Remember how Mary was more blessed than Martha, who worried a lot.

"Who among you can add even a day to your life by worrying?" -- LORD
Jesus Christ.

> After two days without Coumadin and a serving of broccoli and spinach
> his INR is 1.6. That's too low but I'm sure it will go back to normal
> in a day or so. It will be tested again in three days.
>
> After reading your post I'm really sorry that I didn't read it
> sooner. It would have reassured me.

May our LORD's peace be with you during this your difficult time.

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:

http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/BeHealthier

Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,

Andrew <><
--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Lawful steward of http://EmoryCardiology.com
A latter-day disciple of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/DiscipleNow

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J666 - 01 Apr 2008 04:39 GMT

> Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Andrew <><

Have you taken any philosophy classes?

Signature

monkfish

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 01 Apr 2008 10:13 GMT

satan via a sockpuppet (corporeal demon) hissed:

> Have you taken any philosophy classes?

Yes.

Truth is simple.

May we, who are Jesus' disciples, continue to rebuke you at each GOD-
given opportunity as GOD desires:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/Rebukesatan

<><

May dear neighbors, friends, and brethren have a blessedly wonderful
2008th year since the birth of our LORD Jesus Christ as the Son of
Man ...

... by being hungrier:

http://TruthRUS.org/KnowingGOD

Hunger is wonderful:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Hunger

It's how we know what GOD wants, which is what is good.

Yes, hunger is our knowledge of good versus evil that Adam and Eve
paid for with their and our immortal lives.

Those who suffer from the powerful delusion predicted by the prophecy
of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 would deny this and perish ( gone !!! )
forever ...

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/CrazyOne

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/CrazyTwo

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/CrazyThree

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/CrazyFour

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Convicts/Bob

... gone:

http://YouTube.com/watch?v=Qb6d_z5C35E

Such will be the demise of all those who refuse to know **and** love
the truth, Who is LORD Jesus Christ:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Love/TheTruth

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be blessed:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/BeBlessed

"Blessed are you who hunger NOW...

... for you will be satisfied." -- LORD Jesus Christ (Luke 6:21)

Amen.

http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/Luke6_21

A simple parable for the wise and discerning:

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Parable

Be hungry... be healthy... be hungrier... be healthier:

http://TheWellnessFoundation.com/BeHealthier

Prayerfully in the infinite power and might of the Holy Spirit,

Andrew <><
--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Lawful steward of http://EmoryCardiology.com
A latter-day disciple of the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
http://HeartMDPhD.com/HolySpirit/DiscipleNow

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Pramesh Rutaji - 29 Mar 2008 04:11 GMT

> My husband takes Coumadin. He's taken it for almost 10 years. His
> INR levels have always been pretty consistent - between 2.1 and 3.0.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> he called. My husband was so upset that he didn't think to ask any
> questions.

The Life Extension Foundation (lef.org) had an article some time ago
about taking vitamin K in addition to Coumadin and adjusting the
Coumadin to the vitamin K dosage. Variability of INR caused by dietary
choice will then have only a very small effect. Lack of vitamin K
accelerates cardiovascular disease so taking vitamin K and a large dose
of cumadin seems like the sensible choice. Cutting potassium doesn't
seem all that wise either. Find the article and take it to the doctor
for review.

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Pramesh Rutaji

p297tongue6221@newsguy.com - remove tongue to reply

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Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD - 29 Mar 2008 05:03 GMT

http://HeartMDPhD.com/Quacksatan

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Jane - 01 Apr 2008 01:19 GMT

On Mar 28, 11:11 pm, Pramesh Rutaji <p297tongue6...@newsguy.com>
wrote:

> > My husband takes Coumadin. He's taken it for almost 10 years. His
> > INR levels have always been pretty consistent - between 2.1 and 3.0.
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> p297tongue6...@newsguy.com - remove tongue to reply

I found the article. It was published in 2006. While I didn't read
the entire article I get the point they are making - Vitamin K is
essential for many reasons. In my opinion if everything they said has
been proven true then cardiologists would be prescribing Vitamin K
with the Coumadin now. I don't think that our cardiologist would
appreciate my bringing this to his attention. He is very much in tune
with new ideas and treatments. I will ask him about it when we see
him however. As for the potassium, my husband's blood potassium level
is too high. That plus the fact that other results indicate a
decrease in kidney function is why both doctors suggested lowering
potassium intake. Neither said it had to be drastic. He still gets
plenty of potassium I'm sure, just not quite as much as before.

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