I've been taking PGFO for a bit over a year, and in that time I've had a problem with frequent nose bleeds that are sometimes very difficult to stop. They often occur during exercise, during sleep, or if I look down (face parallel to the ground) for too long. I never really thought to associate it with fish oil, but then recently remembered that fish oil is associated with reduced clotting. Anyone else have this experience?

[quote:19a4cc410a="BrianG"]Anyone else have this experience?[/quote:19a4cc410a] Not nose bleeds, but I did notice that my blood seemed pretty thin when I would take 3-4 capsules daily. My higher intake of alcohol on the weekends probably works synergistcally with this effect, but generally I have found that I need little supplementation. Its also quite possible that I need more GLA either do to some genetic enzyme deficiency or the fact that alcohol can inhibit GLA formation. Just curious, how much are you taking?

[quote:fa3a279088="Scott"][quote:fa3a279088="BrianG"]Anyone else have this experience?[/quote:fa3a279088] Just curious, how much are you taking?[/quote:fa3a279088] I usually just take standard 4-capsule/day dose, probably 75% of the time, but sometimes I substitute the fat in a meal or snack with an extra dose of FO. I'm wondering if perhaps my eicosanoid status isn't already pretty good without a lot of FO, hence the extra EPA/DHA may be causing my blood to get a little thinner than it needs to be?

I never thought of the connection until I read this post. I've been having some nosebleeds lately, but I really think it's because of the cold, dry weather. I've been on the fish oils (4 per day) for about 6 months now and never had a problem until recently. (I've never had nosebleeds in my life, though). Do you reallly think this is a contributing factor? I grew up in New England where it is much colder than DC, where I've been for the past 7 months. Like I said, I never had nosebleeds in New England. I have had them on weekends more often (when I do drink more alcohol).

High doses of fish oil can definitely cause nose bleeds due to the thinning of blood. Hence the value of an AA/EPA test to determine your ideal dosage. At worst a basic cholesterol test and determing your Triglycerides/HDL could help you develop a good dosage (a ratio between .3 and 1 is ideal according to Dr Sears.) Other factors can cause nose bleeds. Blood disorder like Ehler's Danlos or Wilson's disease in particular. I had nose bleeds for several years due to a hereditary blood disease (Ehler's Danlos). The nose bleeds disappeared when I started taking a tablespoon of gelatin a day. Gelatin is high in collagen and the disease causes poor manufacture of collagen so that could be the reason this therapy worked. As you said cold weather can also cause nose bleeds. If you're still alive after a few months of nose bleeds its unlikely it's a brain tumour but it is worth seeing a doctor in any case. Kindest regards, Andrew Cavanagh

[quote:b0f12d2f7a="BrianG"] I'm wondering if perhaps my eicosanoid status isn't already pretty good without a lot of FO, hence the extra EPA/DHA may be causing my blood to get a little thinner than it needs to be?[/quote:b0f12d2f7a] Very possible as this appears to be the case with me.