Vitamin D Deficiency
There are several nutrients that your body needs to survive. Each nutrient serves a specific purpose in your body. Vitamins and minerals form part of micronutrients – they help to ensure your body has energy, can produce blood, to ensure nerves can communicate with each other, and more.
Vitamin D is among the various vitamins that you need to consume each day. There are different ways to obtain vitamin D, including from food, fortified products, supplements, and, of course, the sun. When you do not get enough vitamin D, your body may develop certain problems. We look at the purpose of vitamin D and how you can know if you are getting enough of this particular vitamin.
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a type of fat-soluble nutrient that your body relies on. The body is unable to produce this vitamin internally. It is possible for the body to synthesize vitamin D endogenously. This happens when your skin comes into contact with the ultraviolet rays that the sun expels. In other cases, you need to ensure you get vitamin D from food and supplements.
Vitamin D from food goes through two processes; both called hydroxylations. This allows vitamin D to be activated. The liver converts vitamin D in food to 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This compound is also called calcidiol. The kidneys create calcitriol, the active type of vitamin D.
The vitamin helps the body absorb calcium from food in the digestive tract. Both phosphate and calcium maintenance rely on the presence of vitamin D. This makes vitamin D crucial for healthy bones.
Apart from bone health, vitamin D also plays a role in cell growth, the immune system, and neuromuscular function. The vitamin has also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory effects.
Normal levels of vitamin D have also been linked to a reduced risk of these conditions:
· Hypertension
· Autoimmune disease
· Osteoporosis
· Cancer
The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency
The roles that vitamin D plays in your body makes it essential. When you have a vitamin D deficiency, you may notice several changes in your body. Understanding the effects of vitamin D deficiency is important – this can help you realize why it is so crucial to get tested and maintain normal levels of the vitamin.
When you are deficient in vitamin D, bone mineral density may decline. This is caused by a reduction in calcium absorption. You may also find yourself at a higher risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and hypertension. Your immune system may also become weaker since vitamin D is important for a healthy immune function.
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
Recognizing the signs of a vitamin D deficiency is the first step you should take to treating the condition. There are several symptoms that may signal a deficiency of this vitamin in your body. When you recognize these signs, be sure to take action.
Some of the symptoms that you may notice include:
· You may be affected by infections and common illnesses more frequently. Studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to frequent colds, as well as to pneumonia and bronchitis.
· You may be tired all the time. It has previously been found that low levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream may be a contributing factor to tiredness and fatigue.
· You may experience back pain. There is also a chance of experiencing bone pain.
· There is evidence that people with vitamin D deficiency may experience signs of depression. If you already have depression, the symptoms may worsen.
· The wound may take longer to heal due to the weaker immune system.
· Hair loss has also been linked to a vitamin D deficiency – so this is something else to look out for.
Symptoms of Too Much Vitamin D
Taking too much vitamin D can also be harmful. This can lead to a complication called vitamin D toxicity. In most cases, this problem occurs in people who take excessively high doses of vitamin D through a dietary supplement.
Hypercalcemia is the main problem with vitamin D toxicity. This is when there is too much calcium in your blood. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include:
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Frequent urination
· Weakness
Bone pain may also develop. Untreated, vitamin D toxicity can also cause kidney-related problems.
What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?
There are a few reasons why people may experience a deficiency of vitamin D. It is important to learn about these causes to determine which might be the cause behind your own condition. Some causes and risk factors behind vitamin D deficiency include:
· Obesity
· Celiac disease
· Cystic fibrosis
· Crohn’s disease
· Kidneys are unable to effective convert vitamin D
· You do not get enough sun exposure
· Your diet lacks adequate vitamin D
People with dark skin are also at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Tests for Vitamin D Deficiency
If you experience signs of vitamin D deficiency, you need to test your current vitamin D levels first. Taking vitamin D supplements when you do not have a deficiency in this nutrient can cause toxicity.
A 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test is currently a common way of testing for vitamin D deficiency. Normal levels fall between 20 ng/mL and 50 ng/mL. When the test result returns a value lower than 12 ng/mL, then you have vitamin D deficiency.
Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency at Medicine Center Pharmacy
There are many reasons why you want to ensure you have enough vitamin D in your body. A deficiency in vitamin D can cause a number of potential adverse effects. To help you understand the level of vitamin D, Medicine Center Pharmacy offers a walk-in screening events for vitamin D testing.
Simply visit one of our pharmacies, and we will be able to do a quick test to determine the current vitamin D level in your bloodstream. Our experts will be able to help you understand if you have enough vitamin D in your blood and offer you guidance should you currently have a vitamin D deficiency. Visit our Events page for the next screening date near you.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088161?dopt=Abstract
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2010/February2010/OTCFocusVitaminD-0210
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27178217
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26543719
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26998791