Vitamin K helps make 4 of the 13 proteins needed for blood clotting, particularly prothrombin, which is converted to thrombin during the clotting process. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Before we dive into how alcohol thins your blood, it’s important to note what is considered moderate and heavy drinking.
How alcohol impacts blood clotting
If we drink in moderation (one drink or fewer per day), alcohol will not likely harm us, but it’s always a good idea to consult a medical provider first. Individual drinkers appear to differ in their susceptibility to alcohol-induced thrombocytopenia. Thus, clinicians have noted that some people who consume alcohol in excess repeatedly develop thrombocytopenia (often severely), whereas other drinkers maintain normal platelet levels. Spur cells are distorted RBC’s that are characterized by spikelike protrusions of their cell membrane (figure 2). These spurs are caused by the incorporation of excess amounts of cholesterol alcohol and blood clots into the cell membrane, resulting in an increase of the cell’s surface area without a corresponding increase in cell volume. Modestly elevated membrane cholesterol levels result in a flattened RBC shape, whereas larger increments of cholesterol cause the membrane to be thrown up into spikes.
How is Eliquis supplied (dosage forms)?
Moreover, long-term excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with various Halfway house physiological, biochemical, and metabolic processes involving the blood cells. These direct effects may be exacerbated by the presence of other alcohol-related disorders, such as liver disease and nutritional deficiencies. Abstinence can reverse many of alcohol’s effects on hematopoiesis and blood cell functioning.
