Vitamin K Deficiency: Symptoms, Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Scientifically known by the term Hypovitaminosis K, VItamin K deficiency usually results from the lack of vitamin K1 or vitamin K2 or both in the body. This essential nutrient plays a key role in the process of protein modification and blood clotting in the body. Vitamin K also helps improve vascular health at the same time preserving the bone density.

There may be some individuals who are at higher risk of vitamin K deficiency. Those who take anticoagulants, antibiotics or take vitamin A and E in high dosage should be cautious as all of them interfere with the process of vitamin K production and absorption. Studies suggest that newborn babies are even more prone to vitamin K deficiency.

There is no set amount of vitamin K you should be consuming each day, but on an average, a man should consume at least 120 mg of Vitamin K. For women, 90 mg of vitamin K should suffice. Leafy green veggies, are very high in vitamin K and can provide enough Vitamin K to the body in just one serving.

Many signs and symptoms associated with vitamin K deficiency have been reported out of which the most common symptom is excessive bleeding after a person gets a cut or wound. Other symptoms include:

• Easy bruising
• Tiny blood clots around the nails
• Dark black or tar-like stool
• Blood in stool

Vitamin K deficiency symptoms observed in infants and newborn babies are:

• Skin or nose bleeding
• Life-threatening brain bleeding
• Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
• Bleeding after the umbilical cord is removed

Vitamin K deficiency can result in several health issues that can be fatal if the deficiency is not taken seriously. Excessive bleeding is one of the most common risk factors associated with the deficiency of this vitamin.

This is also known by the term intracranial haemorrhage which when lasts longer can cause brain damage or even death, especially in infants. Hence, it becomes essential to take an appropriate dosage of vitamin K to prevent all of these outcomes.

There is no need for any specific treatment for managing Vitamin K deficiency, following a proper diet plan that includes food rich in with Vitamin K should always be the priority. Green veggies such as spinach, broccoli, kale, turnips, peas are high in vitamin K. Other rich sources of vitamin K include eggs, whole wheat bread and onions.

If you wish to follow the medical treatment route, the individual with vitamin K deficiency can be given vitamin K supplements in the form of oral tablet or injections, the dosage of which depends on many factors including age, medical history and severity of the condition.

Doctors usually start with dietary changes before prescribing any medicines or supplements. Vitamin K deficiency should be prevented by following a balanced diet which includes lots of green leafy veggies, soybean and eggs.

In some cases, the doctor may additionally prescribe a drug known as phytonadione to treat vitamin K deficiency. This medicine is mostly given as either an oral medicine or injected under the skin. The recommended dosage of phytonadione is 1 to 25 milligrams (mg) for adults.

Doctors generally prescribe a smaller dosage of phytonadione for someone who is taking anticoagulants, and hence the dosage ranges from about 1 to 10 mg. This is done to avoid any interactions caused by anticoagulants that interferes with the body’s vitamin K production.

For infants or newborns, the treatment route is a little different. The Vitamin K deficiency in newborns is treated with a single shot of 0.5 to 1 mg vitamin K1 at the time of birth. A higher dose may be necessary for the infant whose mother has been taking some anticoagulants or anti-seizure drugs.

Below are some of the side effects that may result from taking Vitamin K supplements:

• Flushing
• Dizziness
• Rapid or weak pulse
• Sweating
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Injection site pain or discomfort
• Altered sense of taste
• Shortness of breath, etc

Apart from this, the medicines also contain inactive ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions including blood disorders, kidney disease or liver disease. Vitamin K medicines contain aluminium, which can rarely build up in the body. However, there is still a risk especially in people with any sort of kidney disease.

Vitamin K deficiency is usually treated with Vitamin K supplements or Vitamin K injections, but post-treatment you may observer mild to moderate side effects including flushing dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, or bluish lips or skin or nails may also rarely occur. If the effects persist or worsen with time, inform your doctor promptly.

Serious allergies to Vitamin K drugs are quite rare. It is still advised to seek immediate medical attention right away if you notice any sort of symptoms or allergic reactions like rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face or tongue or throat), severe form of dizziness and trouble breathing.

AThe Vitamin K deficiency treatment can take about seven days to thirty days, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition

Vitamin K tablets cost somewhere around Rs.200 to Rs. 350 for a whole pack and Vitamin K injections are available at Rs. 125 to Rs. 150 in India.

The results are permanent only if a proper diet is followed in combination with taking supplements or as prescribed by the medical experts. Hence, you must follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and dietitian to maintain the appropriate Vitamin K levels in the body.