14 Signs Of Vitamin D Deficiency

Have you been experiencing body pain, mood swings, fatigue, headaches, or constipation?

These could be signs of vitamin D deficiency. Read on to know more!

Vitamin D is the “Sunshine Vitamin.”
Signs & Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency
A study[1]National Library Of Medicine
The vitamin D epidemic and its health consequences
“Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as an epidemic in the United States. The major cause of vitamin D deficiency is inadequate exposure to sunlight.”
View in Article stated an epidemic of vitamin D insufficiency among Americans due to inadequate sun exposure. 

What Is Vitamin D?

The human body produces vitamin D when directly exposed to the sun.

It is a vitamin responsible for many vital bodily functions. It regulates and absorbs calcium and phosphorus from the food during digestion.

Sunlight---girl (2)

Did You Know?
Vitamin D is also known as the ‘Immunity Vitamin’ because it improves resistance to infections and diseases.

Adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for the growth and development of bones and teeth.

While most people associate signs of vitamin D deficiency with the elderly, you should not ignore the alerts at any age group.


According to studies,[2]National Library Of Medicine
Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults
“The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%.”
View in Article about 41.6% of the American adult population has low vitamin D levels, which can cause serious health problems.”

Low Vitamin D Symptoms

Old-man-in-pain

1) Chronic Muscle Pain

This symptom usually goes unnoticed as most people complain of chronic fatigue instead of muscle weakness or muscle ache.

2) Constant Back Aches

Constant back pain is another significant sign of low vitamin D levels.

According to the National Institute of Health,[3] National Institutes of Health
The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult
“Factors Contributing to Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency in the Aging Adult – Age > 50 years.”
View in Article adults older than 50 years should have their vitamin D level checked at least once every one to two years due to risk factors for osteoporosis.

3)Tooth Decay

Are your teeth decaying despite being brushed after every meal? This could indicate the body isn’t absorbing calcium.

Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium. Without adequate vitamin D levels, signs of tooth decay might be noticeable.

Girl-in-tooth-pain

4) Low Energy

Constant exhaustion, even during daytime naps, could signify a vitamin D deficiency.

In addition, constant muscle fatigue or bone aches could drain your energy faster.

Headache---Girl

5) Constipation

One cause of constipation is not getting enough fiber in your diet, yet another reason can be low vitamin D levels.

6)Skin Conditions

Inadequate levels of vitamin D can
lead to several skin conditions and infections.

Some of these skin conditions can also reduce the skin’s ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. This will only worsen the skin condition.

Girl-with-skin-conditions (1)

Some studies show that older adults with darker skin are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.[4]National Library Of Medicine
The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult
“Factors Contributing to Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency in the Aging Adult include Dark Skin Pigmentation”
View in Article

7) Risk for Disease

Another study[5]National Library Of Medicine
The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult
“”Epidemiologic evidence indicates an association between low levels of vitamin D and diseases associated with aging such as cognitive decline, depression, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.””
View in Article found that people with lower vitamin D levels tend to have a higher risk of complications such as –

  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

It is best to constantly check your vitamin D levels as a preventive measure against all diseases.

8) Bone Loss

Have you been experiencing hip, knee, or back pain while getting up from a chair or climbing stairs?

This could signify bone loss due to a lack of vitamin D.

Less vitamin D would mean not enough calcium is absorbed by your body.

This could be followed by signs of
low bone density and severe bone
aches, eventually causing permanent damage to your bone joints.

Man-with-knee-injury

9) Mood Disorders

National Institute of Health states
that signs of depression or bipolar
the disorder could indicate symptoms related
to a lack of vitamin D.[6]National Library Of Medicine
The role of vitamin D in bipolar disorder: Epidemiology and influence on disease activity
“an association between vitamin D levels and clinical symptomatology was observed in Bipolar Disorder patients, a common characteristic shared with other psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.”
View in Article

This contributes to mood swings,
hormonal changes, and low
productivity.

Sad-Man

10) Weight Gain and Obesity

Individuals who are obese have signs of vitamin D deficiency at higher rates than the general population.[7]National Library Of Medicine
The incidence of vitamin D deficiency in the obese: a retrospective chart review
“Patients who were obese had a relative risk of 3.36 (95% CI: 1.50–7.54) for vitamin D deficiency compared to subjects with normal BMI.”
View in Article

Vitamin D deficiency in obese people does not seem to have consequences for bone tissue but may affect other organs.[8]PubMed Central
Vitamin D Deficiency: Consequence or Cause of Obesity?
“Vitamin D deficiency in obese people does not seem to have consequences for bone tissue, but may affect other organs.”
View in Article

11) Forgetfulness

If you have noticed a decrease in your energy levels or difficulty remembering things, it could be due to vitamin D deficiency. Slow grasping new things or recognizing could be other signs.

These could also be caused due to stress or sleep deprivation. Be sure to consult your doctor for the right course of treatment.

Low-Immunity-Girl (1)

12) Decreased Immunity

Individuals with low vitamin D levels often have higher infection rates.[9]PubMed Central
Vitamin D and the Immune System
“Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as increased susceptibility to infection.”
View in Article This makes them prone to catching viral and bacterial infections quickly.

Premature-aging (1)

13) Premature Aging

Vitamin D deficiency can then directly impact your immune system. A weakened immune system affects the formation of new healthy cells. This change in the construction of cells fastens the process of aging.

Vitamin D deficiency can also fasten the aging process of the skin.[10]Karger
Serum Vitamin D and Facial Aging
“The vitamin D endocrine system, besides multiple other functions, regulates aging in many tissues, including the skin.”
View in Article

 14) Headaches

Are you suffering from stress, chronic neck pain, or headaches? While these signs could be due to stress or tension, they could also signify that your body lacks vitamin D. 

Does Vitamin D deficiency increase the severity of COVID-19?

Covid (1)

A new study found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with severe cases of COVID-19 as well as a high rate of mortality.[11]PubMed
Role of vitamin D in preventing of COVID-19 infection, progression and severity
“Retrospective studies demonstrated a correlation between vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity and mortality,”
View in Article
Another study found that those with a vitamin D deficiency were more likely to test positive for the COVID-19 virus than those with normal or high Vitamin D levels.[12]National Library Of Medicine
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID-19 positivity and severity of the disease
“Elevated vitamin D levels could decrease COVID-19 PCR positivity.”
View in Article
Other research has also observed that vitamin D deficiency was evident in people who experienced acute symptoms of COVID-19 like respiratory failure.[13]NCBI
Does vitamin D deficiency increase the severity of COVID-19?
“The importance of vitamin D in cases of respiratory infection is illustrated by the fact that low vitamin D levels are common in populations worldwide and low levels have been associated with a significantly increased risk of pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections.”
View in Article

So, it is vital to check vitamin D levels with the worsening pandemic constantly because vitamin D helps boost your overall immunity and keeps you healthy.

Most importantly, ensure you take your daily dose of good health by stepping into the sun’s golden rays!

FAQs

How soon will I feel better after taking vitamin D?

The more depleted you are, the longer it takes for changes to occur.

An article in the Journal of Oncology Practice says that, generally, each 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily and what the patient is currently ingesting will raise the level of 25(OH)D by 10 ng/mL after a few weeks.[14]JCO Oncology Practice
How I Treat Vitamin D Deficiency
“Each 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily in addition to what the patient is currently ingesting will raise the level of 25(OH)D by 10 ng/mL after a few weeks.”
View in Article

However, higher intake is required for individuals who are obese because vitamin D is sequestered in adipose tissue.

You should start feeling better once vitamin D kicks in, but you should still have your levels checked every two to three months.

Remember, it’s always easier to avoid deficiency than rebuild your system. So pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Can vitamin D affect sleep?

According to studies[15]NIH
The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Sleep Disorders
“A cross-sectional study reported that vitamin D deficiency correlated with poorer sleep quality ”
View in Article, sleep is known to have a deep connection with vitamin D. Lower vitamin D levels can adversely affect sleep quality.

Furthermore, it indicated that low vitamin D levels disturb sleep, making it difficult to stay asleep for long hours.

How can I check my vitamin D levels at home?

Vitamin D can be tested in the doctor’s clinic, lab, or at home. The process is almost the same, and at-home tests are equally reliable.

Vitamin D tests need a blood sample to measure 25-OH D levels.

In a doctor’s office or a lab, a trained tech draws blood from a vein in your arm. While at home, you will have to prick and squeeze a finger to collect a smaller blood sample.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing an at-home vitamin D test. To select the best home test kit, you can look through the customer experiences, price, and each company’s medical and business standards process.

The accuracy of vitamin D tests can depend on sample collection. User error is always possible with at-home tests, so following step-by-step instructions is essential.

Overall, at-home vitamin D tests are as accurate as traditional lab tests.

How can I raise my vitamin D levels quickly?

You can increase your vitamin D levels by spending time in the sun. In addition, eating foods with vitamin D, or taking supplements containing vitamin D will also help increase Vitamin D levels. Foods high in vitamin D[15]NIH
Vitamin D Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
“Table 3: Vitamin D Content of Selected Foods ”
View in Article include:

  • Salmon
  • Mushrooms
  • Cheese (Cheddar)
  • Milk
  • Orange juice
  • Soy
  • Egg

Conclusion

Old-man-in-sunlight (1)

In short, vitamin D deficiency can cause a lot of damage to your health. Therefore, ensure to always look out for these signs.

If you notice any of these signs, you must consult your doctor and check your vitamin D levels regularly.

Avoid vitamin D deficiency by spending atleast 10 – 30 mins daily in the sunlight. Above all, maintain a balanced diet.

Contact us to consult a doctor abroad for affordable and comfortable treatment!

References

  1. PubMed – The Vitamin D Epidemic and Its Health Consequences
  2. NCBI – Prevalence & Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency in US Adults
  3. PubMed – Vitamin D Deficiency: Consequence or Cause of Obesity?
  4. NCBI – The Role of Vitamin D in the Aging Adult
  5. NCBI – The Role of Vitamin D in Bipolar Disorder
  6. PubMed – Vitamin D and the Immune System
  7. NCBI – The Incidence of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Obese
  8. Karger – Serum Vitamin D and Facial Aging
  9. PubMed – Role of Vitamin D in Preventing of COVID-19 Infection, Progression and Severity
  10. NIH – Vitamin D Deficiency is Associated with COVID-19 Positivity and Severity of the Disease
  11. PubMed – Role of Vitamin D in Preventing of COVID-19 Infection, Progression and Severity
  12. NCBI – Does Vitamin D Deficiency Increase the Severity of COVID-19?
  13. NIH –The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Sleep Disorders
  14. NIH – Vitamin D – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals