When Vitamin K Is Prescribed and Why

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that allows the body to function as it should. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to bone problems, bruising, and bleeding. Learn more here.

Written and verified by the doctor Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in blood stability and is a precursor of clotting factors.

We’ll tell you more about it in this article.

What Does This Vitamin Do?

This is a substance that, like any other vitamin, is required in small quantities for the body’s proper functioning and development.

This vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body stores in small amounts that quickly deplete, which is why you should consume it regularly. However, the body can also recycle small amounts for reuse.

Also, vitamin K seems to play a role in the proper development of tissues and bones. That’s why not getting enough of it can cause bone development issues.

Forms of Vitamin K

Overall, there are three possible forms of vitamin K:

• Phylloquinone or vitamin K1: This is the existing form in leafy plants. Basically, you get it through your diet and the body absorbs it better when it dissolves in fats.
• Menaquinone or vitamin K2: This is the vitamin that certain intestinal flora bacteria produces. It’s produced and absorbed in small amounts.
• Menadione or vitamin K3: This is produced synthetically and is doctors sometimes use it as a supplement.

Foods Rich in Vitamin K

Overall, eating a varied and balanced diet usually ensures that you’ll get enough of this vitamin. This is because your body only needs it in small amounts.

You can find it in:

• Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, or lettuce
• Some fruits, such as figs
• Meat
• Cheese
• Soy
• Eggs.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Due to the fact that humans don’t need a lot of this vitamin, its deficiency is rare. However, it can happen.

This is the case of newborns, who may have bleeding problems and a tendency to bleed. This deficiency in newborns is due to the fact that this vitamin doesn’t enter the placenta easily. This is why they’re born with low levels. Also, breast milk doesn’t contain large amounts of the nutrient. Moreover, babies’ intestinal flora isn’t developed yet and, therefore, they have no bacteria to synthesize this vitamin.

Doctors usually administer them the vitamin through injection in these cases.

On the other hand, diseases such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, or short bowel syndrome can cause a deficiency. This is because such disorders generate intestinal absorption alterations that reduce the amount of vitamin K absorbed.

Likewise, treatment with certain drugs such as anti-convulsants or certain antibiotics can lead to a deficiency.

A severe deficiency can lead to bruising and bleeding caused by poor blood clotting. In the worst-case scenarios, this could lead to dangerous internal bleeding.

When Doctors Recommend Supplements

The consumption of blood-thinning medications may require vitamin K supplements.

Many vitamin complexes can increase your intake of this vitamin. However, there are also specific vitamin K supplements. You can also often find it combined with other nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.

This is the most common way of administering this nutrient to patients who need it. However, the vitamin may also be administered through an intramuscular injection. This is the chosen administration method for newborns. This helps reduce the risk of brain hemorrhage.

Finally, in cases where anticoagulants such as warfarin are administered, a lack of vitamin K can be especially problematic. In such situations, periodic blood tests will be required to determine clotting time.