Understanding What Vitamin Deficiency Can Cause Bleeding: A Guide to Vitamin K and Vitamin C

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 7.1% of US adults may experience some level of vitamin C deficiency, which, when severe, can lead to scurvy and bleeding issues. A lesser-known fact is that vitamin K deficiency also poses a significant risk for hemorrhage, especially in newborns. Understanding what vitamin deficiency can cause bleeding is key to recognizing potential health issues and maintaining a balanced, protective diet.

Quick Summary

Deficiencies in vitamins K and C are primary nutritional causes of bleeding issues. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting factors, while vitamin C is critical for building strong connective tissues and blood vessels. Identifying the specific symptoms is crucial for proper treatment and prevention.

Key Points

Vitamin K is critical for coagulation: This fat-soluble vitamin is required by the liver to produce essential blood-clotting proteins.
Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy: A severe lack of vitamin C weakens blood vessel walls by impairing collagen production, resulting in bleeding gums and easy bruising.
Newborns are at high risk for Vitamin K deficiency: Because infants are born with low reserves, a prophylactic vitamin K shot is standard to prevent life-threatening bleeding (VKDB).
Bleeding symptoms differ based on the deficiency: Vitamin K deficiency typically causes prolonged bleeding and internal hemorrhage, while vitamin C deficiency manifests with more superficial bleeding (gums, skin) and poor wound healing.
A balanced diet is the best prevention: Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, provides adequate levels of both Vitamin K and C to support hemostasis and connective tissue health.
Malabsorption and medication can cause deficiencies: Underlying health conditions and certain drugs can interfere with vitamin absorption, necessitating medical intervention.

The Crucial Role of Vitamins in Hemostasis

Your body's ability to stop bleeding is a complex process known as hemostasis, which relies heavily on certain vitamins. When a deficiency occurs, this process can be compromised, leading to abnormal or excessive bleeding. The two primary vitamins directly linked to bleeding disorders are Vitamin K and Vitamin C, though they affect the body in different ways.

Vitamin K: The Coagulation Catalyst

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin renowned for its central role in blood clotting. It acts as a co-factor for the enzymes that produce several key clotting factors in the liver, including factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. Without sufficient vitamin K, these factors cannot be activated, and the blood's ability to clot is severely impaired.

Causes and Risk Factors of Vitamin K Deficiency

While uncommon in healthy adults due to sufficient dietary sources and bacterial production in the gut, a deficiency can arise from several factors:

Poor Diet: Inadequate intake of leafy green vegetables, the primary source of Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone).
Fat Malabsorption: Conditions such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and liver disorders can prevent the body from properly absorbing fat-soluble vitamins, including Vitamin K.
Medications: Certain drugs, like some antibiotics and anticoagulants such as warfarin, interfere with Vitamin K metabolism.
Newborns: Infants are born with very low levels of vitamin K and have not yet developed the gut bacteria to produce it, making them highly susceptible to Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). For this reason, a vitamin K shot is routinely given at birth.

Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

Easy Bruising: Unexplained bruises appearing frequently or with little trauma.
Excessive Bleeding: Prolonged bleeding from minor cuts, surgical incisions, or injection sites.
Mucosal Bleeding: Nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and blood in the urine or stool.
Internal Hemorrhage: In severe cases, bleeding can occur in the stomach, joints, or even the brain, which is especially dangerous in infants.

Vitamin C: The Connective Tissue Guardian

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the synthesis of collagen, a vital protein for building connective tissues, including those that support blood vessels, gums, and skin. A severe deficiency in vitamin C leads to scurvy, a disease characterized by widespread connective tissue weakness that causes capillaries to become fragile and rupture easily.

Causes and Risk Factors of Scurvy

Scurvy is rare today but can still occur in individuals with extremely poor nutritional intake, often over several months. Risk factors include:

Limited Diet: Diets lacking fresh fruits and vegetables, which are the main sources of vitamin C.
Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol use can interfere with nutrient absorption and lead to poor dietary habits.
Certain Medical Conditions: Kidney dialysis and some mental illnesses can increase the risk of deficiency.

Symptoms of Scurvy

Bleeding Gums: Swollen, purple, and spongy gums that bleed easily are a classic sign.
Petechiae and Ecchymoses: Small, pinpoint red or blue spots on the skin, and larger bruises caused by ruptured blood vessels.
Corkscrew Hairs: Abnormally coiled body hair, a hallmark of the condition.
Poor Wound Healing: Since collagen formation is impaired, wounds heal more slowly and may even reopen.
Fatigue and Joint Pain: Early symptoms can include general weakness, fatigue, and pain in the joints.

Comparison of Vitamin K vs. Vitamin C Bleeding Symptoms

To help differentiate between the potential causes of bleeding, here is a comparison of how deficiencies in Vitamin K and Vitamin C typically manifest.


Feature	Vitamin K Deficiency	Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)
Mechanism	Impairs blood clotting factors, preventing proper coagulation.	Weakens collagen in connective tissues, leading to fragile blood vessels.
Symptom Focus	Bleeding related to clotting issues: prolonged bleeding, internal hemorrhages.	Bleeding related to tissue weakness: bleeding gums, skin hemorrhages, poor wound healing.
Common Bleeding Sites	Puncture sites, nose, GI tract, or internal organs (especially in newborns).	Gums, skin (perifollicular hemorrhages), joints.
Risk Groups	Newborns, individuals with malabsorption issues, those on certain medications.	Individuals with severely restricted diets (lacking fresh produce), chronic alcoholics.
Associated Symptoms	Easy bruising, abnormal lab results (prothrombin time).	Fatigue, joint pain, corkscrew hairs, dry skin.

How to Prevent Vitamin Deficiencies and Bleeding

The best approach to preventing bleeding-related vitamin deficiencies is through a balanced diet rich in both Vitamin K and Vitamin C. Incorporating a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is crucial.

Excellent Food Sources

Vitamin K: Focus on leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Other sources include vegetable oils, eggs, and fermented foods like nattō.
Vitamin C: Abundant in citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits), red and green peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, and tomatoes. Since vitamin C is heat-sensitive, consuming some raw fruits and vegetables is beneficial.

For at-risk groups, such as newborns or individuals with malabsorption disorders, medical supervision is essential. Newborns receive a prophylactic vitamin K shot, while those with medical conditions may need supplements under a doctor's care. Addressing underlying health issues and seeking prompt medical attention for unexplained bleeding are the most important steps to ensure a safe and effective outcome.

Conclusion

While a variety of factors can cause bleeding, certain nutritional deficiencies are distinct culprits. Knowing what vitamin deficiency can cause bleeding is the first step toward prevention and appropriate medical care. By ensuring a diet rich in Vitamin K for proper clotting and Vitamin C for strong connective tissues, individuals can protect themselves against these specific bleeding disorders. A well-balanced diet, coupled with professional medical guidance when risk factors are present, is the most effective strategy for promoting overall health and preventing serious hemorrhagic complications.

For Further Reading:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Vitamin K Fact Sheet for Health Professionals Cleveland Clinic - Scurvy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamin K is most commonly associated with bleeding issues because it is essential for producing the proteins required for blood clotting. A deficiency leads to impaired coagulation and excessive bleeding.

The medical name for severe vitamin C deficiency is scurvy. Scurvy can cause fragile capillaries, leading to bleeding gums, bruising, and poor wound healing.

Yes, long-term use of certain antibiotics can disrupt the gut bacteria responsible for producing Vitamin K2, potentially leading to a deficiency that causes bleeding problems.

Newborns are at higher risk because they have limited vitamin K reserves at birth and do not yet have the gut bacteria needed to synthesize the vitamin. This can lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).

Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) symptoms include bleeding gums and small, pinpoint hemorrhages around hair follicles. Vitamin K deficiency more often involves prolonged or excessive bleeding from cuts, nosebleeds, and internal hemorrhage.

A vitamin K deficiency is diagnosed through blood tests that measure the blood's clotting time, such as the prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR). An elevated PT/INR indicates a clotting problem.

In mild cases, increasing dietary intake of vitamin-rich foods can help. However, for severe deficiencies, especially with significant bleeding, a healthcare provider may prescribe supplements or other treatments. Medical conditions affecting absorption must also be addressed.

Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, red and green peppers, broccoli, strawberries, and kiwifruit. Since vitamin C is easily destroyed by heat, consuming some raw produce is recommended.