If you are taking Coumadin (warafin) would it effect your blood sugar level?

[nfilmer]

I have been taking coumadin (well the generic which is warafin) for almost 3 yrs on and off. I just started back on them approximatley 2 wks ago. I am 26 yrs old and on them for 4 dvt and 1 blood clot in the lung. Anyways...A couple days ago out of curiosity I did a blood sugar test on a friends machine and it registered 329. Which obviously has us all a little shaken up. So i was just wondering if maybe the blood thinners would effect the reading? Should i see my doctor and be tested for diabetes? What else could it mean?

Curisously yours,

Nicole Filmer

[david1234]

Warfarin and diabetes

Question >>Can Warfarin interfere with diabetes as regards blood sugar levels?

Answer >>No. Uncomplicated anticoagulation with Warfarin (thinning the blood by inhibiting its clotting mechanism in a controlled way) should not directly interfere with blood glucose levels, even in diabetics.

The only exception would be the effect of Warfarin increasing the potency of some anti-diabetic tablets, lowering the blood sugar further. However, I’m not aware of any interaction with common treatments like Actrapid and Insulatard.

There is a rare circumstance in which Warfarin could indirectly affect sugar levels. This could happen if it was responsible for acute inflammation of the pancreas (chronic pancreatitis). The pancreas is a gland that sits in the abdomen just behind the stomach and produces, amongst other things, insulin.

Pancreatitis is a very rare complication of treatment with Warfarin - I've never seen a case. It's not the sort of condition that you can have without feeling very ill and uncomfortable, so I sense it's not what you had in mind when you asked the question.

Conversely, your anticoagulation control can be affected by changes in your health, so any change in your diabetic control, particularly if it were caused by an infection, might also alter your response to Warfarin and require a dose adjustment. Patients who take Warfarin should always consider getting an additional anticoagulation blood check [INR] if they become unwell or start some new medication that might interact. Antibiotics, for instance, are well known for this.

Yours sincerely

[Maria RN]

Hi Nicole. I have an answer to your question, and you can find it here:
http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2008/10/20/high-blood-sugar-caused-by-warfarin/

I hope that you find it helpful.

[coleen2008]

hi there nicole..the reading of your blood sugar is very high..it is an indication that you have a diabetes..just want to know if it runs in your family?if no, maybe it is has something to do with your warfarin therapy,,you should be assess for further evaluation..signs and symptoms of DM includes frequent urination,frequent hunger,frequent thirsty, blurred vision, weakness and paresthesias, delayed wound healing, vaginal infections..if you experience these symptoms, you better consult your dr. immediately.

[bobtisoy]

Hello:

It would be prudent for you to immediately see a doctor to really determine if you have diabetes or not. When in doubt it would always be best to consult a doctor before things get worse.
Try to read this link also you might get relevant information regarding warfarin:



http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/04/02/warfarin-and-ibuprofen-deadly-or-just-a-bad-idea/.

:p