Vitamin K is essential to produce proteins which help in blood clotting. Blood clotting is a process that can prevent excessive bleeding when any injury occurs both internally and externally in the body. There are two main kinds of vitamin K. One is Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) which is derived from plants, especially leafy green vegetables(spinach, kale, etc.) and the other is Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) which is naturally created in your body, in the intestinal tract and found in some animal foods(egg yolk, butter, etc.). Most adults get an adequate supply of vitamin K through the foods they eat and their bodies are capable of producing it naturally. It is possible that certain medications and health conditions can reduce the production and absorption of vitamin K and leave you deficient of it. By recognizing the Vitamin K deficiency symptoms, you can make certain necessary changes in your diet.
What are the Vitamin K Deficiency Symptoms?
Vitamin K deficiency symptoms and signs may include:
- Too much bleeding
- Wounds and bruises happen easily
- Blood clots underneath the nails
- Bleeding in mucous membranes inside the body
- Dark stool with blood
Vitamin K deficiency is much more common in infants. The vitamin k deficiency symptoms in infants include bleeding from where the umbilical cord is removed or the penis of the baby if he has been circumcised, bleeding in the skin, nose, gastrointestinal tract. The severe deficiency may also lead to sudden bleeding in the brain, which can be fatal. So, if you face any of these, you should pay a visit to your doctor in order to get the right treatment.
Causes of Vitamin K Deficiency
Certain people are more prone to suffering from vitamin K deficiency. These are people who take blood thinners like warfarin and are taking antibiotics. People who also have a condition in which the body is not able to absorb fat properly or are taking an improper diet are likely to show vitamin K deficiency symptoms.
Newborn infants are detected with vitamin K deficiency in case the breast milk is very low in vitamin K or if it does not transfer to the baby properly from a mother’s placenta. Newborns don’t naturally produce vitamin K2 during the first few days of their life. A single shot of vitamin K if given at birth can help prevent problems in newborns.
Diagnosing Vitamin K Deficiency
A doctor will ask for your medical history to understand the risks of vitamin K deficiency. A coagulation test (prothrombin time test ) is also performed that measures the time taken to form blood clots in case of injuries or haemorrhage. The test will help determine whether the symptoms faced were due to vitamin K deficiency or any other underlying condition.
Treating Vitamin K Deficiency
The treatment of vitamin K deficiency symptoms include taking supplements, the drug phytonadione, which is vitamin K1. The dosage depends on the person’s age and health. Doctors prescribe oral medication or injections for the treatment.
While vitamin K deficiency is treatable in most cases, you must remember that if vitamin K deficiency symptoms are overlooked and left untreated, they can become dangerous.
Conclusion
There is no fixed amount of vitamin K that one must consume every day. On an average day, 120 mcg is considered adequate for men and 90 mcg for women. To avoid vitamin K deficiency, you can consume foods like spinach, kale, blueberries, meat, cheese, eggs, chickpeas, and soybeans that are rich in vitamin K. If you are showing vitamin K deficiency symptoms, including these food items is a must.
When consulting an expert on taking Vitamin K supplements, you must inform them about any existing medications you are on.
