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• Nutrition

Vitamin K Deficiency Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatments

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that’s responsible for many vital functions within our bodies. Yet, between 8-31% of people globally have a vitamin K deficiency.

Even though this may make it sound as if vitamin K deficiencies aren’t that common, this condition can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

Luckily, something as simple as adjusting your diet or taking a supplement can help you avoid or manage a vitamin K deficiency. There are also a variety of other treatments available that can help.

In this article, we’ll discuss what vitamin K deficiency is, its symptoms, and who is at risk for developing this condition. We’ll also share how this deficiency is diagnosed and treated.

What is a Vitamin K Deficiency?

A vitamin K deficiency means your body doesn’t have enough of this essential nutrient to perform its vital functions, such as aiding with blood clotting and supporting bone health.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed into the body through dietary fat and it plays a crucial role in producing the proteins needed for blood clotting. This helps prevent excessive bleeding in the body. 

Vitamin K is also responsible for maintaining strong and healthy bones by regulating calcium levels.

If your body doesn’t have enough vitamin K, you may develop certain medical conditions or experience potentially dangerous side effects.

What are the Symptoms of a Vitamin K Deficiency?

Now that you know what a vitamin K deficiency is, let’s unpack the symptoms you may experience if you have this condition:

Excessive bleeding

Without enough vitamin K, the body’s ability to form blood clots is impaired, leading to a higher risk of uncontrolled bleeding.

As a result, people with a vitamin K deficiency often bruise easily, even with minor bumps or injuries. They may experience excessive bleeding from the gums or have frequent or prolonged nosebleeds.

Women with a vitamin K deficiency may also experience unusually heavy menstrual bleeding, which can be unpleasant and distressing.

Bone health issues

Vitamin K is critical in regulating calcium in the body and activating proteins essential for bone formation and maintenance.

Not having enough vitamin K in your body can weaken your bones over time, increasing the risk of bone-related health conditions like osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Prolonged blood clotting time

As mentioned earlier, the blood clotting process can be delayed when the body lacks sufficient vitamin K. This can lead to cuts or wounds taking longer to stop bleeding and heal. 

In severe cases, it can lead to internal bleeding, which may manifest as blood in the urine or stool.

Gastrointestinal symptoms

As a vitamin K deficiency can lead to prolonged clotting time, it can increase the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

What Diseases are Caused By a Vitamin K Deficiency?

A vitamin K deficiency can lead to certain health conditions that you should be aware of:

Osteoporosis and bone fractures

A long-term vitamin K deficiency can lead to the development of osteoporosis, a condition that’s characterized by weak and brittle bones. This increases the risk of bone fractures, especially in older adults.

Vitamin K is essential for activating osteocalcin — a protein that helps bind calcium to bones — making them strong and dense. Without enough vitamin K, bones may become weaker over time.

People with low vitamin K levels can experience reduced bone mineral density, making them more susceptible to fractures, particularly in the hips, spine, and wrists.

Cardiovascular disease

Although more research is needed, vitamin K deficiency may contribute to cardiovascular disease. 

Too much calcium in this part of the body can lead to heart disease. Vitamin K prevents calcium deposits from calcifying in the heart’s blood vessels and valves, and reduces arterial stiffness.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in newborns

This condition occurs in infants who are born with low levels of vitamin K in their bodies. One in every 60 newborns will develop VKDB. 

In severe cases, VKDB can lead to internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening.

Newborns naturally have low vitamin K levels at birth because their gut bacteria — which help produce vitamin K — are not yet fully developed, and breast milk contains only small amounts of this nutrient.

Around 96% of newborns are given a vitamin K injection shortly after birth to prevent this condition.

Intracranial hemorrhage

In severe cases, vitamin K deficiency can result in intracranial hemorrhage, a type of bleeding in the brain. This can lead to serious neurological damage that can be life-threatening.

This condition is most commonly seen in newborns as part of VKDB and in people with severe vitamin K deficiency.

Who is at Risk of a Vitamin K Deficiency?

Certain risk factors make people more likely to develop a vitamin K deficiency. These individuals include:

• Newborns: As mentioned earlier, a newborn’s intestines lack the bacteria needed to produce vitamin K, which can lead to VKDB.

• People with malabsorption disorders: Individuals with conditions that impair fat absorption — such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or cystic fibrosis — are at risk of a deficiency because vitamin K can’t be absorbed without dietary fat.

• Individuals with liver disease: The liver is essential for producing bile, which is necessary for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K. Liver conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and cholestasis can increase the chances of vitamin K deficiency.

• People taking certain medications: Medications like blood thinners can interfere with vitamin K’s role in blood clotting. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can also kill the gut bacteria that produce vitamin K, leading to a deficiency, especially with prolonged use.  

• Older adults: Older adults may have a reduced dietary intake of vitamin K-rich foods, and their bodies are less able to absorb vitamins. This group is also at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis and fractures.

• People with poor dietary intake: Individuals who don’t consume enough vitamin K-rich foods may develop a deficiency.

How is Vitamin K Deficiency Diagnosed?

A vitamin K deficiency is usually diagnosed through blood tests ordered by your healthcare provider. Two main types of blood tests are used to diagnose this condition, including:

• Prothrombin time (PT) test: This measures how long it takes for blood to clot. If the PT is prolonged due to slow blood clotting, it may indicate a vitamin K deficiency.

• Vitamin K blood test: This test measures the level of vitamin K in the blood. However, it isn’t always accurate because vitamin K is quickly processed and stored in the liver, causing a fluctuating level of vitamin K in the blood.

In severe cases, especially where internal bleeding or bone health is a concern, imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans may be performed to assess the extent of bleeding or bone density.

How is a Vitamin K Deficiency Treated?

There are a few key ways that a vitamin K deficiency can be treated:

Making dietary changes

The typical first line of treatment for a mild vitamin K deficiency is usually to increase your consumption of foods rich in this vitamin.

Taking a vitamin K supplement

Oral vitamin K supplements are often prescribed for people with mild to moderate deficiency or those at risk of developing this deficiency.

The specific form of the supplement and the dosage will depend on your needs and any underlying causes of the deficiency, as assessed by your doctor.

Depending on the severity of the deficiency, a typical supplement might consist of 100 to 500 micrograms of vitamin K per day.

Getting a vitamin K shot

In cases of severe deficiency — such as excessive bleeding and the need to restore clotting ability — vitamin K may be administered through an injection or intravenously (IV). 

This is more commonly administered to people with severe bleeding, those taking blood thinners, and newborns at risk of VKDB. 

The dosage of vitamin K present in an injection or IV is typically much higher than that of an oral supplement and it will need to be determined by a healthcare professional.

Addressing underlying conditions

For people with malabsorption disorders, treating the underlying condition is crucial. 

This might include medications to reduce inflammation, dietary adjustments, or enzyme replacement therapy to improve nutrient absorption.

In cases where liver disease contributes to the deficiency, treatment may involve managing this underlying condition, which can involve lifestyle changes, medications, or — in serious cases — surgery.

If blood thinners cause the deficiency, your healthcare provider may adjust the medication's dosage or recommend supplementation to balance the effects and reduce the risk of bleeding.

Where Can I Get Help for a Vitamin K Deficiency?

Through LifeMD, you can consult with a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.

A healthcare professional can order lab testing for you to help determine whether you have a vitamin K deficiency, and recommend treatment based on your results.

Make an online appointment today.

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