19 Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

vegetables-fruits-and-vitamin-k

Do you suffer from excessive bleeding? Does any cut or wound take longer to heal?

If yes, you are suffering from vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is a group of essential fat-soluble compounds that helps in clotting blood and absorbing calcium, affecting bone and heart health. So naturally, the lack of it affects concerned body parts and internal functioning.

Read along to learn more about vitamin K deficiency, the related symptoms, causes, and treatment

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What is Vitamin K Deficiency?

Vitamin K deficiency refers to a condition where both adults and newborns suffer from various symptoms like excessive bleeding, easy bruising, etc. This is because the body lacks the required protein that helps in coagulation (in layman’s terms, blood clotting).  

Vitamin K is the main agent that helps the body produce prothrombin responsible for blood clotting. If an individual lacks vitamin K, the coagulation process cannot begin instantly. Hence, they suffer from excessive bleeding. 

One must note that vitamin K inadequacy is rare in adults due to its presence in common dietary sources such as green leafy vegetables, grains and oils.

However, infants are at high risk of vitamin K insufficiency, which can further be triggered in the presence of several factors such as liver disease, malnutrition, and a side-effect of taking specific prescribed drugs.

Insufficient vitamin K does show certain symptoms. Let’s learn about them in detail.

How Common is Vitamin K Deficiency?

A vitamin K deficiency is uncommon because most adults have adequate nutrient levels due to appropriate gut bacteria and the fat in many widely consumed foods. Insufficient vitamin K in the body might cause more frequent bruises and bleeding than normal. A vitamin K shortage can be confirmed by blood testing.

19 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

Vitamin K deficiency symptoms differ in the case of adults and infants. These are separately discussed below:

Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include

Vitamin K Deficiency Symptoms in Adults

Sr.No. Symptom Description
1 Excessive bleeding Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. Without enough vitamin K, the body has difficulty producing prothrombin, a protein that helps blood clot properly. This can lead to excessive bleeding from minor cuts or injuries.
2 Bleeding gums and teeth Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding in the gums and around the teeth. This occurs because vitamin K is needed to produce several clotting factors involved in maintaining the integrity of blood vessels.
3 Bruises easily Vitamin K deficiency can result in a decreased ability to form blood clots. As a result, even minor trauma or bumps can lead to bruising under the skin.
4 Heavy and painful menstruation In women, vitamin K deficiency can contribute to heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding. This happens because vitamin K is involved in the clotting process that stops menstrual bleeding.
5 Bone health issues Vitamin K plays a role in bone metabolism and mineralisation. A deficiency may increase the risk of osteoporosis or fractures due to impaired bone calcium regulation.
6 Calcification of soft tissues Vitamin K is involved in regulating calcium in the body. Calcium can accumulate in soft tissues like blood vessels and kidneys without sufficient vitamin K, leading to calcification. This condition can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and kidney stones.
7 Fatigue and weakness While not directly linked to vitamin K deficiency alone, chronic bleeding due to inadequate clotting can lead to anaemia, which in turn causes fatigue, weakness, and lack of energy.
8 Impaired cognitive function Some research suggests that vitamin K may affect brain health and cognitive function. A deficiency might contribute to cognitive decline or impairments, although more studies are needed to understand this relationship fully.
9 Gastrointestinal disturbances Vitamin K deficiency can sometimes be associated with gastrointestinal disorders that impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K.

Vitamin K Deficiency Symptoms in Infants

Sr.No. Symptom Description
1 Bruising around face or head Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting. In infants deficient in vitamin K, minor trauma during birth or handling can lead to bruising, particularly around the head and face, where delivery-related pressures are significant.
2 Bleeding around the belly button, nose, and mouth at sites of vaccination Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding tendencies, so minor procedures like vaccinations or even handling around sensitive areas such as the nose or mouth can lead to bleeding.
3 Bleeding in the penis during circumcision Circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves cutting the foreskin of the penis. This procedure can result in bleeding complications without sufficient vitamin K for clotting.
4 Paleness, especially around gums Anemia due to chronic bleeding can lead to paleness, including around the gums. Vitamin K deficiency exacerbates bleeding tendencies, contributing to anemia in severe cases.
5 Bleeding while vomiting or urinating Any strain or pressure during urination or vomiting can cause bleeding in infants lacking sufficient vitamin K, as clotting factors are inadequately synthesized.
6 Blood in the bowel movement This symptom can occur due to gastrointestinal bleeding, which is more likely in infants with vitamin K deficiency. It results from the inability to form clots effectively to seal off minor injuries in the gastrointestinal tract.
7 Yellowish skin and eyes (noticeable during the third or fourth week after birth, distinct from jaundice) This symptom can indicate significant liver dysfunction due to prolonged bleeding, leading to the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and eyes. It's different from typical newborn jaundice, which usually resolves within a few days.
8 Delayed onset of bleeding Infants with vitamin K deficiency may exhibit delayed bleeding tendencies, which occur hours to days after a minor injury or surgical procedure.
9 Intracranial hemorrhage This is a serious complication where bleeding occurs within the skull, potentially leading to neurological symptoms such as seizures, lethargy, or irritability. It can be life-threatening and is more common in infants with severe vitamin K deficiency.
10 Poor weight gain or failure to thrive Chronic bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency can lead to anemia and poor nutrient absorption, resulting in difficulty gaining weight or failure to thrive.

Now that you know what are the symptoms of vitamin k deficiency, let’s look at the various reasons that cause this deficiency.

Reasons Causing Vitamin K Deficiency

As stated earlier, deficiency of vitamin K is rare in healthy adults. Nonetheless, mentioned below are some of the vitamin K deficiency causes-

  • If individuals take coumarin anticoagulants like warfarin, that acts as a blood thinner.
  • If individuals rely on high doses of vitamin A and E.
  • If individuals do not eat vitamin K enriched foods.
  • If individuals take antibiotics that affect vitamin K production and absorption.

Apart from these, there are certain medical conditions that trigger vitamin K deficiency, such as malabsorption. In this particular condition, a body is unable to absorb fat in the required amount. Individuals with the following conditions are most likely to suffer from vitamin K insufficiency (fat malabsorption)-

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Patients who underwent the intestine part removal like during Bariatric surgery
  • A disorder in the biliary tract (liver, bile ducts and gallbladder) or intestines
  • Celiac disease

Similar to the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency, the causes also vary in the case of newborns. These are discussed below-

  • If infants get breast milk that is low in vitamin K.
  • If the liver of a newly born baby cannot actively utilize vitamin K.
  • If a baby receives insufficient vitamin K from the mother’s placenta.
  • If newborns cannot produce vitamin K on their own during the initial days of their life.

After learning about the causes of vitamin K deficiency, the next area of focus includes vitamin K deficiency diseases. Read along!

Effects of Vitamin K Deficiency in Long Run

Adults suffering from vitamin K deficiency for a long time need to treat the condition timely. Long term ignorance can lead to excessive bleeding. However, vitamin K inadequacy is treatable in most cases.

On the other hand, in the case of infants, if intracranial haemorrhage lasts long or is left untreated, it can result in brain damage or even death.

Diagnosis of Vitamin K Deficiency

Diagnosing vitamin K deficiency typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and sometimes imaging studies. Here are the methods commonly used

History and Physical Examination

Gathering information about dietary habits, medical history (especially any conditions affecting fat absorption), medications (like antibiotics that may interfere with vitamin K production), and symptoms such as easy bruising or excessive bleeding.

Physical Examination

Check for signs of bleeding tendencies such as petechiae (small red or purple spots on the skin), ecchymosis (larger bruises), or bleeding gums.

Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalised Ratio (INR)

These tests measure how long it takes for blood to clot and are used to assess the functional status of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Prolonged PT and INR suggest impaired clotting function due to vitamin K deficiency.

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)

Similar to PT/INR, aPTT measures the clotting time but is sensitive to deficiencies in other clotting factors that are not dependent on vitamin K.

Factor Assays

Direct measurement of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (such as Factor II, VII, IX, and X) can confirm their deficiency.

Serum Vitamin K Levels

Though less commonly used, measuring vitamin K levels directly in the blood can indicate deficiency if levels are low.

X-rays or Bone Scans

In severe vitamin K deficiency cases, imaging may reveal abnormalities such as osteopenia or fractures, which can occur due to impaired vitamin K's role in bone metabolism.

Liver Function Tests

Vitamin K metabolism involves the liver, so abnormalities in liver function tests may suggest underlying causes of deficiency.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing may be considered in rare cases where there is suspicion of genetic causes of vitamin K deficiency (such as due to mutations in genes involved in vitamin K metabolism).

Diseases Caused by Deficiency of Vitamin K

To initiate the list of vitamin K deficiency diseases, let us know about vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). It refers to a condition where their body cannot stop bleeding due to insufficient vitamin K in the blood, which helps to form the clot.

Apart from this-

  • Vitamin K deficiency leads to Osteoporosis.
  • The lack of this nutrient can result in poor bone development.
  • Insufficient vitamin K may end up in increased cardiovascular disease.

After knowing which disease is caused by a deficiency of vitamin K, it is time to move to the next section regarding the side effects of vitamin K deficiency.

Best Food Sources to Overcome Vitamin K Deficiency

A diet rich in vitamin K is the best way to overcome its deficiency. The following tables have numerous foods to choose from.

Fruits to Overcome Vitamin K Deficiency

blueberries-for-vitamin-k

Add any of the following fruits to your diet to overcome vitamin K deficiency.

Sr.No. Fruits Nutritional Value
1 Blackberries (half cup) 14 mcg
2 Blueberries (half cup) 14 mcg
3 Red Currants (28.35 gm) 3.1 mcg
4 Grapes (10 pieces) 3.5 mcg
5 Pomegranate (half cup) 14 mcg
6 Prunes (5 pieces) 28 mcg
7 Kiwi (one) 28 mcg

Vegetables to Overcome Vitamin K Deficiency

fresh-raw-spinach-for-vitamin-k

Overcome vitamin K deficiency by including these vegetables that are rich in vitamin K.

Sr.No. Vegetables Nutritional Value
1 Spinach (half cup) 444 mcg
2 Kale (half cup) (cooked) 531 mcg
3 Mustard greens (half cup) (cooked) 415 mcg
4 Swiss chard (raw) (one leaf) 398 mcg
5 Collard greens (cooked) (half cup) 386 mcg
6 Spinach (raw) (1 cup) 145 mcg
7 Brussels sprouts (cooked) (half cup) 109 mcg
8 Green peas (cooked) (half cup) 21 mcg
9 Parsley (fresh) (1 sprig) 164 mcg
10 Cabbage (cooked) (half cup) 82 mcg

Other Eatables to Overcome Vitamin K Deficiency

raw-liver-for-vitamin-k

Add these food items into your diet and ensure an increase in the vitamin K quantity in your body.

Sr. No. Food Items Nutritional Value
1 Pork (100 mg) 69 mcg
2 Beef Liver (100 mg) 106 mcg
3 Chicken (100 mg) 60 mcg
4 Pine nuts (10 nuts) 0.9 mcg
5 Red kidney beans (cooked) (28 gm) 4 mcg

How Much Vitamin K Do You Need Daily?

Adults require about 1 microgram of vitamin K daily for every kilogram of body weight. For instance, a person weighing 65 kg would require 65 micrograms of vitamin K daily, whereas a person weighing 75 kg would require 75 micrograms.

Treatment for Vitamin K Deficiency

Treatment for vitamin K deficiency depends on the severity and underlying cause. Here are the typical approaches:

Sr. No. Treatment Description
1 Oral Vitamin K Supplementation Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) is preferred for treating vitamin K deficiency. It is available in oral formulations and effectively corrects coagulopathy due to vitamin K deficiency.
2 Intravenous (IV) Vitamin K In severe cases where oral intake is not feasible or if rapid correction is needed, intravenous vitamin K administration may be necessary. This is especially important in cases of life-threatening bleeding.
3 Dietary Modifications Ensuring adequate vitamin K-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and soybean oil can help prevent deficiency.
4 Management of Malabsorption Treating the underlying condition is crucial if vitamin K deficiency is due to conditions affecting fat absorption (e.g., cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, biliary obstruction).
5 Clinical Monitoring Monitoring coagulation parameters (PT/INR, factor assays) to assess response to treatment.
6 Vitamin K Prophylaxis Newborns are at risk of vitamin K deficiency due to low stores at birth and inadequate transfer across the placenta. Routine administration of intramuscular vitamin K at birth is recommended to prevent hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

How to Prevent and Overcome Vitamin K Deficiency?

To prevent vitamin K deficiency, one can follow the given tips:

Individuals can intake the following natural food sources to prevent vitamin K deficiency:

Food Sources Vitamin K Source (in mcg)
Spinach 444.2 mcg (1/2 cup; cooked)
Broccoli 85 mcg (1/2; cooked)
Asparagus 93 mcg (1 cup; boiled, drained)
Beef Liver 72 mcg (1 slice)
Soybeans 43 mcg (1/2; roasted)
Green Beans 30 mcg (1/2; cooked)
Egg Yolk 5.8 mcg (1 large egg yolk)
Strawberries 3.7 mcg (1 cup)
Dandelion greens, raw, chopped 452 mcg ( 1 cup)
Mustard greens, cooked, chopped 438 mcg (½ cup)
Kale, raw, chopped 499 mcg ( 1 cup)
Endive and escarole, raw, chopped 122 mcg ( 1 cup)
Radicchio, raw, shredded 108 mcg ( 1 cup)
Lettuce, romaine, raw, shredded 61 mcg ( 1 cup)
Blueberry, frozen 22 mcg (½ cup)
Tuna, light, canned with oil 33 mcg (75 gm)
Matcha green tea powder 60 mcg (1 cup)

Also, note:

  • To prevent vitamin K deficiency in neonates, they can be given a single shot at birth.
  • Individuals having fat malabsorption conditions can take vitamin K supplements after consulting with their doctor. Similarly, individuals taking warfarin and anticoagulants (alike) can consult and take vitamin K supplements and routinely monitor their vitamin K levels to prevent vitamin K deficiency.

To overcome vitamin K deficiency, go through the following table:

Remedy Description
Oral Supplementation Take vitamin K supplements as directed by a healthcare provider. Both vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone) are available, and your healthcare provider can recommend the appropriate type and dosage.
Medical Supervision Work with a healthcare provider to address underlying conditions affecting vitamin K absorption or utilisation, such as gastrointestinal disorders or liver disease.
Medication Management Review any medications you’re taking with your healthcare provider, especially if you are on anticoagulants or other drugs that can interfere with vitamin K metabolism. Adjustments might be necessary to balance your vitamin K levels.
Regular Monitoring Regular blood tests can help monitor vitamin K levels and assess the effectiveness of any treatment or supplementation plan.

How Long Does It Take to Treat Vitamin K Deficiency

There are two types of treatment available for vitamin K deficiency: short-term and long-term treatments. Let us discuss it briefly.

Duration Description
Short-term Treatment As the name implies, this type of treatment continues for a short period and can well be treated with either oral supplementation or injections.
Long-term Treatment Those having underlying chronic conditions need long-term treatment, meaning they have to depend on lifetime vitamin K supplements.

However, in most cases, the body starts to show the effects of the treatment after 2 to 5 days of taking supplements.

Now that individuals know everything related to vitamin K deficiency, i.e., symptoms, causes, and healing methods, they can prepare a food chart accordingly and prevent themselves from suffering from such deficiencies.

Who is at Risk of Vitamin K Deficiency?

Several groups of people are at increased risk of vitamin K deficiency. These include:

Newborns

Infants are born with low levels of vitamin K, and there is limited transfer of vitamin K across the placenta. This places them at risk of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn if not supplemented shortly after birth.

People with Malabsorption Syndromes

Conditions such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and pancreatic insufficiency can impair the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K.

Long-Term Users of Certain Medications

Some antibiotics, particularly broad-spectrum antibiotics, can disrupt the gut microbiota, which plays a role in vitamin K synthesis. Anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin)  interfere with the action of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and their use requires careful monitoring of vitamin K intake.

Liver Disease

The liver is involved in synthesising clotting factors dependent on vitamin K. Liver diseases such as cirrhosis can impair this process, leading to decreased production of these factors.

Severe Dietary Restriction

Individuals who severely restrict their dietary intake, especially green leafy vegetables (a primary source of vitamin K1), may not consume enough vitamin K to meet their needs.

Older Adults

Aging is associated with decreased absorption of nutrients, including vitamin K. Older adults may also have diets low in vitamin K-rich foods, further contributing to deficiency risk.

Alcoholism

Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver dysfunction, impairing the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Certain Medical Procedures

Individuals undergoing surgeries or medical procedures that disrupt the gut microbiota or involve antibiotics may experience transient vitamin K deficiency.

Genetic Factors

Rare genetic disorders affecting vitamin K metabolism or transport can predispose individuals to deficiency.

It's vital for individuals in these risk groups to be aware of potential vitamin K deficiency symptoms (such as easy bruising and excessive bleeding from minor cuts or injuries) and to discuss their risk factors with healthcare providers. Proper diagnosis and management can help prevent complications associated with vitamin K deficiency.

FAQs about Vitamin K Deficiency