I’m not sure that the platelet inhibiting qualities of fish oils are often discussed much around here, but they sure hit me hard, anyway. On top of this,
I have a blood disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenia. It’s an autoimmune disorder that causes my platelets to be killed off when certain viruses are introduced into my system. Usually they’re within the normal range until I am sick or stressed out, but whenever I take fish oil for more than 2 days I can sure notice a difference. Just now my nose blasted a nice spray of blood all over my shirt, monitor, and computer(i blew a relatively sharp blast of air when it had just started bleeding apparently).
I guess i’ve learnt my lesson about fish oils!
It sucks having to miss out on their benefits. Is flax the best replacement?
Well you may be SOL. Flax and say walnuts etc other forms of omega three may.will most likely cause the same prob. I say consult your doc slowly play with doses of the all important omega 3’s maybe limit your vit e so blood doesnt thin and try and strike a nice balance you can live with.
Yeah I do have bigger problems, but usually I can keep them under control. With my blood disorder i’m quite good unless i’m sick or stressed out, so I have to do my best to prevent that.
I talked to my doctor about fish oil inhibiting platelets, but neither he nor the other doctor there knew anything about it. I had been experimenting with dosage, seemingly hitting a good mark at 4g/day, but getting nosebleeds gives me the hint to stop.
I think that the effect fish oil has on my platelets is directly related to the rare blood disorder I have, though. Since it’s not very well understood (hence the idiopathic part) I have no idea why.
Since I can monitor my platelet levels very easily(I can tell roughly the range i’m in by the number of purpura I get on my arms and feet), I’ll probably see what effect flax seed has on this. I’ll look into limiting vitamin E, but since this is an autoimmune disorder and SHOULDN’T have much to do with my dietary intake, I’m pretty sure it’s not a factor. Then again, the fish oil thing strikes me as a mystery. Thanks, though.
I’m not doubting that you’re telling the truth, but could it be possible that it’s something else that you’ve been doing for the past couple days that could be causing a problem? Like have you been having allergies?
Here is an excerpt from berkeleywellness newsletter re: negative side-effects of fish-oil:
-The decreased ability of the blood to clot, which helps prevent heart attacks, has a negative side, notably an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. People with bleeding disorders, those taking anticoagulants, and those with uncontrolled hypertension should not take fish oil supplements.
-Large doses of fish oil may suppress the immune system. Thus, supplements may be risky for those with weakened immune systems. What?s a “large dose”? One definition is 3 grams or more a day, but no one really knows what the cutoff point is.
Search Pubmed for exact studies.
[quote]AndrewBolinger wrote:
I’m not sure that the platelet inhibiting qualities of fish oils are often discussed much around here, but they sure hit me hard, anyway. On top of this,
I have a blood disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenia. It’s an autoimmune disorder that causes my platelets to be killed off when certain viruses are introduced into my system. Usually they’re within the normal range until I am sick or stressed out, but whenever I take fish oil for more than 2 days I can sure notice a difference. Just now my nose blasted a nice spray of blood all over my shirt, monitor, and computer(i blew a relatively sharp blast of air when it had just started bleeding apparently).
I guess i’ve learnt my lesson about fish oils!
It sucks having to miss out on their benefits. Is flax the best replacement?[/quote]