Vitamin K1

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin with important roles in blood coagulation factor synthesis, bone mineralisation and vascular calcification. There are various forms of vitamin K. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is synthesised by plants, vitamin K2 (the menaquinones) are predominantly of bacterial origin while vitamin K3 (menadione) is a synthetic pharmaceutical. At the Nutristasis unit we assess tissue stores by measuring serum vitamin K1 levels, from which it is possible to identify suboptimal status before the appearance of symptoms. In addition to vitamin K1 we also measure undercarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II) to provide additional insight in to the nature and extent of the deficiency. PIVKA-II can also help investigate cases where vitamin K antagonists are involved or complications due to poor hepatic function. Screening for vitamin K deficiency is recommended in high risk groups such as those with malnutrition, malabsorption (e.g. cystic fibrosis, short bowel, Crohn’s disease, biliary problems etc) or those who may have impaired utilisation of vitamin K e.g. liver disease.