Vit K1 and K2

Can someone please let me know their experience with taking Vitamin K1 and K2? I have been taking it religiously for the last two weeks, just because it made sense to me. I am still bruising, count is 14, but they don't seem to last as long. Thanks, jane

Jane are you deficient in vitamin K and that is why you are taking supplements? I'm not sure I would take it unless tests showed I needed it.

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/983.html
www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602165

Good luck to you!


Sorry - just noticed you said you were taking it because you wanted to.

I don't want to take it if it won't help me, but I have taken the wait and watch approach for my ITP for over 15 years. It just made sense to me to take a supplement to help coagulate my blood, therefore decreasing my bruises. Will it work? Who knows?

Jane:

The only problem that I can see is that some people with ITP are also prone to blood clots, even with low counts. If that hasn't been ruled out, you might be putting yourself at risk. I'd check with your doctor. Messing around with clotting can have serious consequences. If Vitamin K were truly beneficial for those with ITP, it would be widely known and used. It isn't.

Thank you for your opinion. I had the same feeling as you did, but I didn't want to reach out to my hematologist, as I have refused all other traditional forms of meds throughout the years. ITP is like a double edge sword for me. I have to refrain from taking so many other holistic and regular medications because of it, so I was hoping that taking the K vitamins might do the trick. I do share in your concern about the clotting issue, as when I cut myself by accident I usually don't bleed. If you tap me lightly by mistake, I will bleed under my skin for hours. I use ice when I can and arnica for the bruises. Might put a call in to my doctor, because I definitely have food for thought now. Thanks...

If it helps and I am aware that it may not appear to be a helpful answer but I don;t bother with it at all. The consultant has prescribed calcium this year because of the amount of steroids I have been on but that is precautionary ot help protect the bones.

If you not keen about taking them then don't - unless your consultant tells you otherwise

We did use it because platelet boy had no platelets at all we were hoping it would help. We were not worried about APS but that certainly might be something to consider. Luke rarely bled even at zero with all that we were doing. When he started prednisone he started bleeding like a stuck pig out of every orifice he had. :ohmy: Once we pulled the prednisone he went back to not bleeding again. We continued supporting with HIGH doses of vit. C and regular doses of K. As soon as he got platelets at about 15K we removed the vit. K. When he hit in the 30's we tapered the high doses of C back to normal and then stopped it eventually. Vit. C in powder form (not capsules) is very beneficial to cell wall integrity. If you're concerned about clotting you might read up on vit. C as it is not a clotting factor. It helps keep cell walls strong so they are less likely to break and bleed (that would be the under the skin bleeding you're seeing).

Yes, Vitamin C is a good option for bruising. It's safe and the worst thing that can happen is you'll spend more time in the bathroom. If that happens, cut back on the dose.

Thanks so much for the info. I am taking a c now at 1000mg, but it is one that stays with you all day. I put a call into my doctor, but I won't hold my breath. I never wanted to take steroids, as they make me really sick, and winro (sp) or removing my spleen is not an option I am willing to do. I do have a degree in alternative meds, and I was a pharmacy tech, so I am fairly knowledgeable. I guess I am just frustrated, as I have quite a few auto-immune issues. What amount of Vitamin c do you recommend? I am still going to take the K vitamins until I hear back from the doctor. If I don't hear by Monday, I will have to make a decision. Hope everyone is doing well. jane

I'm pretty sure that 2,000 is the recommended max, but you might want to check that out.

Would 1000 mg of C a day be likely to help with bruising?

Studies show that it probably does, but I'm sure that varies from person to person. Pineapples and pineapple juice (bromelain) supposedly do too.