Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient found in a variety of foods and supplements. While rare, it’s possible to develop vitamin K deficiency bleeding if your body doesn’t get enough of this important nutrient.
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is considered a rare condition. It’s caused by low levels of vitamin K in the body, which usually helps your blood clot so that you don’t bleed. Aside from blood clotting, vitamin K also plays important roles in bone and heart health.
The daily recommended amount of vitamin K depends on your gender, age, and whether you’re pregnant or nursing.
While most people in the United States get adequate amounts of this nutrient from diet alone, certain medications and underlying medical conditions can block vitamin K absorption.
Learn more about how vitamin K deficiency bleeding develops, its common causes and symptoms, and how a doctor might treat this condition to prevent serious complications.
People who have vitamin K deficiency bleeding might bleed or bruise easily. These symptoms might also seemingly appear out of nowhere with no known injury.
Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency bleeding
- nose bleeds
- vomiting blood
- dark, tar-like stools
Infants might also exhibit the following:
- bleeding at the site of the umbilical cord
- bruises that primarily develop on the face and head
- pale gums or skin
- yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- irritability
Upon a physical examination, a doctor might
Vitamin K deficiency has multiple causes.
These include certain medical conditions that can block your body’s ability to absorb vitamin K from foods you eat. These can also reduce the number of bacteria in your intestines that naturally produce small amounts of this nutrient.
Possible causes
Certain medications may also block vitamin K absorption, which can lead to easy bleeding. These
- antibiotics, especially when taken for longer than
a few weeks - bile acid sequestrants for high cholesterol, including colestipol (Colestid) and cholestyramine (Questran)
- orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
Vitamin K deficiency in newborns
Newborns can develop vitamin K deficiency if they do not receive a vitamin K injection within
It’s important to note that bleeding from inadequate vitamin K is extremely rare. Overall, vitamin K deficiency bleeding is
While you’re likely to find vitamin K as an ingredient in a good quality multivitamin, this nutrient is also available in a variety of plant and animal foods.
If you do have a vitamin K deficiency, a doctor might recommend including the
- leafy greens
- blueberries
- broccoli
- soybeans
- meat
- cheese
- eggs
- vegetable oils
Eating vitamin K-rich foods alone may not be enough if you have an underlying condition that prevents your body from naturally absorbing this nutrient.
In such cases, a doctor might recommend a prescription of vitamin K. One option is oral vitamin K1, which may be prescribed in doses of
Prompt treatment for vitamin K deficiency bleeding is important as it ensures you get enough of the nutrient for your blood to clot and you can stop bleeding. This will also
Also, correcting the underlying vitamin K deficiency can help prevent long-term health complications, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
If you have possible symptoms of excess bleeding, it’s important to speak with a doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause, including possible vitamin K deficiency bleeding.
You should also talk with a doctor if you take warfarin, as it’s important you’re getting an adequate amount of vitamin K on a regular basis. While too little vitamin K could lead to deficiency bleeding, a sudden increase via food and supplements
Finally, if you do have a history of vitamin K deficiency, it’s important to talk with a doctor about other related complications. Aside from bleeding, vitamin K deficiency can
How much vitamin K should I be getting per day?
The amount of vitamin K you should be getting daily can depend on your sex and age. The recommendation for men is
Can vitamin K deficiency affect clotting?
Vitamin K deficiency can impair the body’s clotting function and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
Does vitamin K help stop bleeding?
Vitamin K can be prescribed to help manage bleeding and bruising. This medication is often given to infants and newborns.
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is a rare condition that develops from a severe lack of vitamin K. This fat-soluble vitamin is prevalent in a variety of foods and supplements, and vitamin K injections are also recommended for newborns.
However, it’s still possible for people of all ages to develop vitamin K deficiency bleeding, particularly if there’s an underlying medical condition blocking vitamin K absorption. Certain medications can also contribute.
If you present symptoms of unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood in stools, or spontaneous bruising, you should speak with a doctor as soon as possible. They can help determine whether these symptoms are attributed to vitamin K deficiency bleeding or another condition.