Question

• Discuss the effect of anticoagulant medications on overall blood clotting and any vitamins involved in this process.
• What nutritional advice should be given to Mr. Jones while on anticoagulant medication?
• Is B₁₂ deficiency a concern for Mr. Jones? Why or why not?
• List three nutritional recommendations for Mr. Jones.
• Mr. Jones decides he would like to add supplements to ensure he is obtaining all essential nutrients. He has tripled his vitamin C intake along with extra doses of vitamin A and several of the B vitamins.
• What guidance should be given to Mr. Jones?

Answer 1

• Anticoagulant suppressing the synthesis or function of various clotting factors which are present in blood. Clotting factors is essential for coagulation. Anticoagulant are heparin and warfarin.
• Vitamin K promote clotting and it reduces the effect of warfarin. So food rich in vitamin K should be avoided.
• There is no connection between Vitamin B12 and anticoagulant.
• There is no need to increases the dose of vitamins.
• Advice the patient to check the sign of bleeding such as bleeding from nose(epistaxis), vomiting in the blood (hematemesis), malena etc.and if it occur immediately inform to doctor.
• Advice to check APTT, PT INR and inform to doctor.