Vitamin K1

Used for differential diagnosis of coagulation disorders. Vitamin K is a group of structurally similar, fat-soluble vitamins the human body requires for complete synthesis of certain proteins that are prerequisites for blood coagulation and which the body also needs for controlling binding of calcium in bones and other tissues.

Vitamin K is one of the fat-soluble vitamins that is needed in the body in small, regular amounts. It is needed in the the body in small amounts to help maintain and regulate healthy coagulation and for the production of clotting factors. These are needed to prevent bleeding out. Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone or phytomenadione, is a natural form of vitamin K that can be found in green leafy vegetables. Because the body can only make small amounts of vitamin K, most needs to be supplemented via diet. While vitamin K1 deficiency is rare, it can be potentially life-threatening. Deficiency occurs in people with malabsorptive disorders and liver disease as they cannot store or uptake any vitamin K.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Easy bruising or bruises that take long to heal
• Excessive bleeding from wounds, punctures, and injection or surgical sites
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Bleeding from the intestines
• Blood in the urine or stool

Also Known As: Phylloquinone, Phytonadione