Patient was educated on how vitamin K affects Coumadin levels as follows:
- Vitamin K and Coumadin act against one another and the amount of vitamin K in your diet can influence the net effects of Coumadin.
- For example, if the vitamin K intake is less, the action of Coumadin is unhindered and so, even though the patient takes regular recommended dose of Coumadin, this dose could be high for the patient, because the vitamin K levels are less and the patient could be at risk for significant bleeding.
- On the converse, if the vitamin K intake is more, the action of Coumadin is significantly opposed and so, even though the patient takes regular recommended dose of Coumadin, this dose could be low for the patient, because the vitamin K levels are more and the patient could be at risk for significant clotting.
- So, it is important to maintain a consistent level of dietary vitamin K, as noncompliance with this parameter can significantly influence the action of Coumadin on the human body, putting one at risk for easy bleeding or clot formation.
