Syndromes of lacking
Syndromes of lacking of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for our health and if one lacks in it he or she many suffer from health hazards. One of the primary syndromes of Vitamin K is bleeding in abnormal level.
The most common complaints include prolonged bleeding following even minor cuts and bleeding under the skin or from the nose. Bleeding into the stomach may cause the individual to vomit blood. The individual may also notice blood in the urine or stool. Questioning the individual may reveal use of medications to prevent clotting (anticoagulants) or to prevent infection (antibiotics). A dietary history may also reveal a lack of foods rich in vitamin K.
Other causes may include certain liver diseases, which result in the reduced production of elements essential to vitamin K production; diseases or multiple surgeries, which interfere with absorption from the gut; bile-related illnesses, which affect the digestion of fat (vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin); and diseases that produce coagulation inhibitors (multiple myeloma).
Often people the doctors recommend physical test for detecting vitamin K deficiencies. The exam is often unremarkable. In severe cases, the individual may be weak and pale due to loss of blood. Physical findings may reveal small hemorrhagic spots in the skin (petechiae), a localized collection of blood (hematoma), or oozing of blood from a puncture site. Bruising is common. Infants may have an underdeveloped face, nose, or bones.
Tests: A blood test will reveal low levels of a clotting factor called prothrombin. Since prothrombin levels can be low for reasons other than vitamin K deficiency, the diagnosis will usually be confirmed by administering an injection of vitamin K. If the vitamin K injection increases the prothrombin level and stops the bleeding, the diagnosis of vitamin K deficiency is confirmed. The most sensitive test results from finding high levels of a specific protein (DCP) in the blood.