Vitamin K (also called phylloquinone) is a vital nutritional component. We can distinguish vitamins K1 to K7, of which only K1 (phytomenadione) and K2 (menaquinone) occur naturally.
Vitamin K cannot be produced by the body itself, which is why hypo-/avitaminosis can occur in case of deficiency.It is absorbed in the small intestine and transported in the blood bound to chylomicrons – transport form of dietary fats.In the colon (large intestine) menaquinone can be synthesized by intestinal bacteria.It can be stored in liver and spleen.
Vitamin K is found mainly in leafy lettuce, vegetables as well as chicken eggs.
Vitamin K is important for the synthesis of coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X. Thus, the most important symptom of vitamin K deficiency is the increased tendency to bleed. In addition, wound healing disorders and diarrhea (diarrhea) also occur.
The procedure
Material needed
- Blood serum
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- Not known
Standard values
The normal requirement of is approximately 100 μg/d.
| Normal value in ng/l | 50-900 |
Indications
- Suspected vitamin K deficiency
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Not known
Interpretation of lowered values
- Alimentary (nutritional)
- Inadequate intake, for example, in eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa or parenteral nutrition.
- Malabsorption (disorder of absorption)
- As a result of gastrointestinal diseases
- Fat absorption disorders as in chronic digestive insufficiency in celiac disease (gluten-induced enteropathy; chronic disease of the mucosa of the small intestine (small intestinal mucosa) due to hypersensitivity to the cereal protein gluten)
- Decreased utilization in liver cirrhosis and cholestasis.
- Impaired transport in lymphatic drainage disorders
- Medication
- Blockade of the vitamin K cycle by antibiotics, doses of salicylates and anticoagulants.
- Coumarin derivatives (Marcumar) cause vitamin K deficiency
Other notes
- To exclude a deficiency of vitamin K, the Quick value should be determined.
- The normal requirement of vitamin K is 60 µg/d in women and 70 µg/d in men.
