Vitamin K Deficiency Vitamin K plays a crucial role in the body's ability to form blood clots and stop any bleeding.  It is found primarily in green leafy vegetables.  Deficiency of vitamin K can lead to increased, unchecked bleeding.  Once detected, this condition is easily treated. Easy or prolonged bleeding is usually the only symptom. Vitamin K deficiency usually develops in patients who do not eat a proper diet (rich in green leafy vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cheddar cheese, etc.) or have problems absorbing nutrients in the intestine. It also occurs in patients on antibiotics such as Cholestyramine and Colestipol, sulfa drugs, salicylates, and Coumarin. Blood tests may show that the blood is too thin.  The Prothrombin time is prolonged.  The partial thromboplastin time may also be slightly prolonged. Supplemental vitamin K given as an injection works within 12-24 hours. A healthy diet will help prevent the complications of vitamin K deficiency.  Foods rich in vitamin K include spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, and soybeans. Since certain bacteria in the stomach manufacture vitamin K, patients on antibiotics for extended periods may develop vitamin K deficiency as antibiotics kill off the bacteria in the stomach.  Vitamin K supplements will help amend this source of deficiency. Liver failure/cirrhosis Treatment with Warfarin Disseminated intravascular coagulation