Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency & How To Treat Them

Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin because your body is able to make it from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight. It is a fat soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in proper functioning of your body. It plays a critical role in bone health and immune system health. 

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies; nearly 42% of adults have a vitamin D deficiency. 

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Often Ill Or Infections

Vitamin D directly interacts with cells that are responsible for addressing infections. If you become sick often, then your vitamin D levels may be low. Research has shown a line between Vitamin D deficiency and respiratory tract infections like common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia. 

Another review has shown that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to multiple viral diseases like hepatitis, the flu, Covid, and AIDs.

Many studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D can help reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections and it was even more beneficial for those with a low blood concentration or low levels of vitamin D.

Fatigue & Tiredness

Studies have shown that a vitamin D deficiency may cause fatigue symptoms and can cause an disruptions in sleep which leads to increased fatigue. Research has shown that supplementing with vitamin D may reduce the severity of fatigue in people with a deficiency.

Bone & Back Pain

Vitamin D will help maintain bone health by improving the body's absorption of calcium. Bone and lower back pain may be symptoms of low vitamin D levels. Studies have shown that people with arthritis, muscle pain, and chronic widespread pain had lower levels of vitamin D.

Anxiety & Depression

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with anxiety and depression. Some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D has helped relieve symptoms of depression.

Impaired Wound Healing

Slow wound healing after a surgery or injury may be a sign of low vitamin D levels. A study has shown that vitamin D deficiency compromised specific aspects of healing in people who had dental surgery. This may be because vitamin D increases the production of compounds that are important for forming new skin as part of the wound healing process.

Bone Loss

Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone metabolism. This is important because taking vitamin D and calcium at the same time can help your body maximize absorption. Low bone mineral density is an indication that your bone shave lost calcium and other minerals. 

Vitamin D deficiency can also increase your risk of developing bone diseases like osteoporosis and sarcopenia. In a research study, supplementing with vitamin D has helped reduce muscle pain in older adults.

Hair Loss

In specific studies, hair loss may be a result from nutrient deficiencies. In one study, it has shown that applying a synthetic form of vitamin D topically increased hair regrowth. Another study has found that vitamin D levels may have an inverse relationship with non-scarring hair loss which means the higher the vitamin D levels, the less hair loss detected.

Muscle Pain

Vitamin D deficiencies may be a potential cause of muscle pain. In a study, it was found that people with chronic pain had a deficiency in vitamin D. Vitamin D may be involved in you body's pain signaling pathways which may play a role in chronic pain. Another study has found that high doses of vitamin D supplements may reduce various types of pain in people with vitamin D deficiency. 

Weight Gain

Obesity is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. A study has found a possible link between low vitamin D levels and both belly fat and increased weight.

What Are The Risks Of Vitamin D Deficiency?

There isn't one single cause for a vitamin D deficiency, however your overall risk may be higher as a result of specific underlying condition or lifestyle choices including:

• Having Darker Skin
• Infants Who are Breastfeeding
• Adults Age 65 Years & Older
• Minimal Sunlight Exposure
• Overweight/Obesity
• Chronic Kidney Disease Or Liver Diseases
• Having Health Conditions That Effect Nutrient Absorption

How Is Vitamin D Deficiency Treated?

Vitamin D deficiency is typically treated with supplements that you can easily buy over the counter. For a severe deficiency, a doctor may recommend prescription vitamin D which comes in much strong doses. 

Eating more vitamin D rich foods can also help boost your levels. Foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified cereals, fortified milk and juices, yogurt, and beef liver. 

A doctor may also recommend to go outside more because sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D.

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency is very common, but symptoms are often subtle and nonspecific, so it may be hard to know whether you have a deficiency. Overall, you can supplement with vitamin D to help boost your levels as well as go outside and get some sunlight.