How is vitamin K status measured, and why are indirect markers preferred?
Label:chem
Topic
There is no universally accepted standard for measuring vitamin K status.
Answer
Indirect markers like dephospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA) are preferred because they reflect functional vitamin K deficiency, whereas direct measurement of circulating K vitamers is unreliable due to their short half-life.
Return to Home
Chemical List
Knowledge you may be interested in