Low vitamin D levels can make bones weak, cause muscle problems, and increase the risk of diseases like osteoporosis and rickets.

The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin" because your body makes it when your skin is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D Functions
Bone health: Helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate for strong teeth and bones
Immunity: Reduces risk of infections and chronic diseases
Mood: Lowers risk of depression and other mood disorders
Muscle function: Protects against muscle weakness
Normal cell function: Helps cells grow and heal
Deficiency Is Common
In the US, about 41% of people have low vitamin D. Black (82%) and Hispanic (69%) communities have even higher rates of deficiency. Even in sunny Texas, 66% of people have low D levels.

Causes of deficiency

Lack of Sunlight

Without enough sunlight, your body can't make vitamin D naturally.

Darker Skin

The melanin in dark skin reduces the ability to make vitamin D from sunlight.

Age

As we age, the skin becomes less efficient at making vitamin D. Plus, older adults often spend more time inside and get less sun.

Diet

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish, dairy, and egg yolks. If your diet doesn’t include enough of these foods, it may be harder to get the vitamin D your body needs.

Health Conditions

Obesity, gastrointestinal disorders, and kidney or liver disease can make it harder for your body to absorb and use vitamin D.

Medications

Some medications, including anticonvulsants and steroids, can affect vitamin D metabolism.

symptoms

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be tricky to pinpoint because often there are no obvious symptoms, but many people experience:

Fatigue

Feeling tired all the time, even after a full night’s rest, is one of the most common complaints.

Bone & Muscle Pain

Since vitamin D is essential for bone health, a lack of it can lead to aching bones and muscles. In more severe cases, it can cause soft bones or brittle bones (osteoporosis).

Frequent Infections & Illnesses

Vitamin D helps to control your immune system. If you're low on vitamin D, you may get sick more often.

Depression

Low vitamin D levels are linked to feelings of sadness or depression, especially in older adults.

Slow Wound Healing

Vitamin D helps your body to heal after an injury. A deficiency can make it take longer to heal from cuts, bruises, or surgeries.

Hair Loss

Vitamin D plays a role in hair follicle growth, so low levels can disrupt the normal hair cycle.

DiagnosIs

Vitamin D levels can be checked with a simple blood test. Here's what results mean:

Healthy: 20–50 ng/mL
Low: 12–20 ng/mL
Deficiency: less than 12 ng/mL

It's important to note that having too much vitamin D can be harmful, too. If levels are higher than 100ng/mL, you could develop hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and kidney damage.

Treatment

The good news is that vitamin D deficiency is usually easy to treat.

Sun Exposure

Aim for about 10-30 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week, depending on your skin type, location, and the time of year. Just be careful to not overdo it to avoid skin damage. Talk to your provider about your skin cancer risk.

Dietary Changes

Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fortified foods (milk, orange juice, and cereals), are all excellent sources of vitamin D.

Supplements

If you’re not getting enough vitamin D from food or sunlight, supplements are an easy fix. Vitamin D2 and D3 are both available, but, D3 is the more effective form.

How We Can Help

If you're experiencing symptoms related to vitamin D deficiency, tell your provider. You may be given an order for a simple blood test to check for vitamin D deficiency.

If you’re deficient, your provider may recommend vitamin D supplements, dietary changes, and increased sun exposure. They may also have you come back for a vitamin D recheck to make sure your levels are exactly where they should be.

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866-325-0301

Low Vitamin D