VITAMIN K

Hello

I just wanted to get opinions on others regarding Vitamin K. I understand that this will not increase platelets however, does anyone know if Vitamin K may help bleeding when platelets drop below 10?
I have been doing alot of search and am receiving conflicting information on this.

THanks

From what I remember, Vitamin K only helps clotting if Vitamin K is deficient in the first place.

Vitamin K will absolutely help when platelets are low. In general, most people are deficient in vit. K to begin with just because of food and soil depletion. Vit. K does more in the body then help with clotting.

articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/03/24/vitamin-k-part-two.aspx

There's about ten articles on this vitamin alone. I can't put all the references but you can search mercola's site for more info. Vit. K does LOTS of health stuff in the body.

No reason not to take Vit. K2. Most supplements come in 100mg form. Most people should take no more then 1 tab daily. And it will help support the body in ITP as far as clotting goes. I absolutely think it played a part in our son not having bleeding issues when he was at zero for so long.

patti

Hi I took vitamin K for a long time and it did not make any difference to bleeding. But give it a go everyones different.

Wouldn't 100 mg be overkill?

That's a pretty strong statement "Vitamin K will absolutely help when platelets are low."

Melinda wrote:

Wouldn't 100 mg be overkill?

That's a pretty strong statement "Vitamin K will absolutely help when platelets are low."

100mg is not overkill and most K supplements sold are 100mg. That's the standard. There are a few out there that are less (sometimes 60mg), but that's not the norm. Vit. K will help with ITP. That's not too strong of a statement. It also helps the rest of the body in a number of others ways (hence the link). The difference is, if someone is a bleeder, it will help, but may not be enough to completely stop bleeding. That depends on someone's propensity to bleed, and how low they are. If someone is a slight bleeder, it could help enough to keep even slight bleeds from happening. For a very crude example of what I mean - If one is a 100% bleeder (ie. bloody noses, lips, mouth sores, etc.) when their platelets are, let's just say 10K for a number, then Vit. K might bring them to a 90% or 80% bleeder. So, less, but not gone. If someone only bleeds 10% of the time when they're at 10K then it's likely the K would just stop it. See what I mean? How much difference one notices will depend on one's propensity to bleed. Not sure if I can make that make better sense. :S

patti there is a big difference between mcg and mg - that is why I am questioning your use of mg.
www.convertunits.com/from/mg/to/mcg
100mg = 100,000mcg

I did find sites that sold K in 100mg - but I also found a lot that are mcg.

www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2133377&CAWELAID=293851188
"Each serving supplies 100 mcg of Vitamin K."

www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Vitamins/Natural-Vitamin-K-2-50-mcg-Dietary-Supplement-Rapid-Release-Liquid-Softgels/ID=prod6031047-product
"Nature's Bounty Natural Vitamin K-2 50 mcg"

www.vitamincottage.com/vitamin_k_by_superior_source_100_count_tablets_s_117916_gm_-p-477.html
Superior Source brand, 100mcg

www.vitacost.com/Country-Life-Vitamin-K-1
Country Life Vitamin K1, 100mcg

Just one example of a vitamin with K in it - mcg. It says 25mcg = 31% of the daily value.
oneaday.com/womens.html
Vitamin K 25mcg [31% Daily Value]


And I do say "absolutely help" is a strong statement.

That site you posted, one has to sign up in order to read what is written.

And one should be careful with advice from Mercola, and seek corroborating advice elsewhere - this is from 2006 but Mercola has had some issues with making claims that get him in trouble and are contradicted by scientific research: www.quackwatch.com/11Ind/mercola.html
Erica

Edited: When I was looking for information about Mercola I discovered that he bought the website ' www.mercolaquack.com ' and uses it to defend his positions and reputation - I will admit he is a brilliant internet marketer!

Regarding mercolaquack.com - I've always said he who protests too much.....
And that is a lot of protesting.

Right after I typed this post we got a virus and I was unable to go back and correct my typo. It is micrograms (MCG). I borrowing someone's comp. to do this but felt like it was too important to wait for a new comp.

Mercola has a lot of good information. As with everything one reads or studies, you must eat the meat and spit out the bones. On this issue, he concurs with the books I have and therefore I used him as my source. But quite frankly, anytime someone asks about something on this site (pdsa) that is not a drug, there will always be those that attempt to strike it down. So be it. To each his own. But let's not discourage those who want to support their bodies naturally (and that's all vit. K would do). In general, my philosophy has always been, if it won't hurt and it might help, then it's worth a try. For some it works to control/stop bleeding, for some it will only help other areas of their body (ie. disease prevention). Either way, it will help a person's body.


patti