warfarin and bleeding

[Randy Fecteau]

Hello I am four months post op for aorta valve replacement. Currently on 8 mg warfarin. Last week had 4 episodes of black tarry stools (sorry ) with an upset stomach. Doctor did blood work, hemoglobins came back fine but blood in stools came back positive. Now have to do a endoscopy or something like that. Was wondering if warfarin could be the cause and how dangerous this test is for endocartitis my greatest fear. He also had me on iron supplements but stopped those 10 days before this event. I have a mechanical valve and was just sailing along now this. Is this what is known as a bump in the road or more serious just seems odd right now

 

[Jkm7]

Hi Randy,
Sorry you are experiencing this.
What was your INR at the time of the bleeding?

 

[catwoman]

What have your INRs previously been? Is there a family or personal history of upper or lower GI problems? Have you ever had a colonoscopy?

 

[Randy Fecteau]

My inr was 2.4. I had a colonoscopy 2or 3 years ago 1 polyp was very small he lost it but said it was nothing

 

[catwoman]

Do you test monthly or weekly?
Not sure what is meant by "he lost it"..

 

[Randy Fecteau]

I test every two weeks before this now I am once a month my highest reading has been 2.8. The doctor who did the colonoscopy said he lost the polyp in transition somehow go figure.

 

[Freddie]

Sounds like the iron supplements is the cause IMO

 

[Bina]

Randy, your INR has been perfect Maybe the iron supplements have done a number on your stomach?
Best wishes.

 

[Mike]

I'm blaming the iron!

I'm blaming the iron!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/275925-iron-supplement-effects-on-stool-color/

 

[markp66]

You can still have bleeding events even if the INR is perfect. It's just much less likely especially if you are younger. More bleeding events do happen over 2.5. Hopefully it is not related to the warfarin but just because you are in range it doesn't mean you things can't happen. Good luck, I've been taking warfarin for the last 3 months and so far so good.

 

[tobagotwo]

Iron-deficient anemia can cause tarry, black stools that are positive for blood. Iron itself doesn't seem to be a cause. The question should be whether you might be anemic, since you stopped taking the iron supplements ten days before this happened.

I wish you a quick and pain-free procedure and a speedy and easily-remedied diagnosis.