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Vitamin K Before Gallstone Surgery

Sep 7, 2011 | By Marcia Veach
Vitamin K Before Gallstone Surgery
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Vitamin K helps your body produce proteins that cause your blood to coagulate. Coagulation is the process that causes your blood to clot so you stop bleeding. As of date of publication, the Institute of Medicine hasn’t established a recommended dietary allowance for vitamin K, but it does suggest an adequate intake for vitamin K of 120mcg for men and 90mcg for women each day (reference 1). In spite of its ability to impede bleeding, you shouldn't take extra vitamin K before you have surgery.

Vitamin K and Gallstone Surgery

One of the complications of surgery, including surgery to remove gallstones or your gallbladder, is excessive bleeding; another is the risk for unhealthy blood clots forming in your legs and traveling to your lungs. Though vitamin K is a major factor in the coagulation process, research has shown that its effects are inconsistent (reference 2). Sometimes a pre-surgical vitamin K supplement leads to a risk of bleeding too much and sometimes it leads to a risk of dangerous blood clot formation. The drug heparin is considered a safer alternative, as its effects can be better regulated.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables and some vegetable oils, such as canola and olive oil. Most healthy adults get enough vitamin K in their diet, sometimes supplemented by a daily multivitamin. If you are taking certain kinds of anticoagulant medicines, or if you have trouble absorbing fats, you are more likely to be deficient in vitamin K. Liver damage or liver disease is another risk factor for vitamin K deficiency. Some symptoms of vitamin K deficiency are frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and blood in your urine or stool.

Vitamin K Toxicity

The Institute of Medicine has not discovered any side effects from taking in higher than average amounts of vitamin K, so no tolerable upper intake level has been established as of date of publication. The Linus Pauling Institute, however, notes that synthetic vitamin K-3 can cause cell damage. When given by injection, it has caused jaundice and a type of anemia in babies, so it is no longer in use as a remedy for vitamin K deficiency.

Vitamin K Drug Interactions

Your vitamin K levels can affect how blood thinning drugs work in your body. These include anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin, or antiplatelet medicines, such as aspirin. If you take any of these, talk to your doctor about how to best maintain a safe level of vitamin K in your blood. This is especially important if you will be having surgery. You may need to have a blood test to determine your current level of vitamin K. A registered dietitian can help you choose foods and supplements, so the level of vitamin K in your blood doesn’t vary much day to day.

References

Article reviewed by Lisa Michael Last updated on: Sep 7, 2011

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