Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.

805 Members
3,840 Posts
0 Online
Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Spirulina?

deerua
deerua
Hi there,
I'm just wondering if anyone knows if spirulina is safe to take while on warfarin? I was told by my doctor that I'm anaemic and that I should take iron supplements, but I find them very hard to digest! I would prefer to take spirulina, and I know that it is high in iron as well as a lot of other minerals and vitamins, but as it is plant based I am not sure if it would interfere with my warfarin/INR, or if it would have a coagulant effect.
Any advice appreciated :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm not familiar with spirulina and it's compatibilty with warfarin. However, I have a very good relationship with both my pharmacist and my hematologist's RN. I don't take anything they haven't told me previously was okay with the Warfarin. Anything new that a different doctor prescribes and I consult with those two people before taking anything. Sometimes, they will say that it is fine to take a med or vitamin that could mildly affect my INR, but they require me to come into the lab more frequently at first and then adjust the Warfarin's mg accordingly to allow for that med or vitamin. If an iron supplement is needed, I'm sure your doctor can work with you and adjust your Warfarin also, if it's needed. Just make sure your "team" are all being kept in the loop with what your taking and any changes.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Why don't you ask your dr or pharmacist? Warfarin is nothing to fool with...people here are very nice and kind but not qualified to give you medical advice.
TossNTurn
TossNTurn
I would call the pharmacist and ask. They have tons of drug databases at their disposal and can tell pretty quickly what affects what. Also ... no copay!
deerua
deerua
Thanks for your replies and I'm sorry for not responding sooner. It seems that doctors and pharmacists are confused when it comes to spirulina...they all seem to air on the side of caution and recommend not taking it, saying that they are not aware of any studies that would test for spirulina's interaction with warfarin. So because they don't know they recommend staying away from it. I've been taking spatone which is a liquid iron supplement, and so far so good :) thanks again for your replies :) D
rmb
rmb
If it contains vitamin K, which I think it may, then it ican nteract with warfarin.

Have you tried eating foods either high in iron or fortified with iron? Lots of cereals are fortified with iron. Cooking with a cast iron skillet helps too. I can't take iron supplements and have some anemia problems at times myself and just try to be mindful of foods that contain iron.
deerua
deerua
Thanks rmb, I take lots of cereal and food with iron, but I don't eat meat so I need to substitute with other food. So far I've been taking the iron supplement (spatone) with no major problems. It's a liquid iron supplement that is easy enough on the system (so far anyway :))
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • MelT2020

    National Self Awareness Day, September 28th

    Posted by: MelT2020
    Last Reply: MelT2020
    6
    Nationalday.com proclaims September 28th as Self Aware Day. I took a few snaps of various core values lists and tried to pick my top five core values (kinda hard to only pick 5). But here are my top picks. Feel free to list a few of yours too:GodLovePeaceStability Compassion 
  • GreenEyes727

    Less Drama

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    6
    Now that I am not talking to my whatever best friend, I realized that her life is full of drama.  I had grown tired of hearing her stories about her boyfriend many months ago.  She basically had been monopolizing conversations for that long too.  She pretty much stopped asking me questions about me.  I passed her in front of her classroom the other day and didn't even look at her.  I am...