What is considered a severe vitamin D deficiency?

Definition of vitamin D deficiency A cutoff of <25 or <30 nmol/L (or 10/12 ng/ml) increases the risk of osteomalacia and nutritional rickets dramatically, and therefore is considered to determine severe vitamin D deficiency [13,14,15,16].

What happens if vitamin D deficiency is not treated?

If left untreated over time, vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious bone disorders. For example, severe and long-term vitamin D deficiency may result in rickets or osteomalacia.

Is low vitamin D life threatening?

Vitamin D deficiency rickets can be life threatening. Vitamin D supplementation is therefore crucial, especially in breastfed infants and some ethnic minorities (dark-skinned people, poor sun exposure), more at risk for developing severe rickets if not supplemented.

How much vitamin D should I take if I am severely deficient?

We suggest that all adults who are vitamin D deficient be treated with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 once a week for eight weeks or its equivalent of 6,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily to achieve a blood level of 25(OH)D above 30 ng/mL, followed by maintenance therapy of 1,500-2,000 IU/day.

What are the signs of low vitamin D?

Many people with vitamin D deficiency do not experience symptoms until their vitamin D levels get very low. Some of the signs or symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include: Back or joint pain. Muscle weakness. Being very tired. Changes in mood.

What can a vitamin D deficiency do to a person?

Vitamin D deficiency Vitamin D Deficiency Very little vitamin D in the body causing impairment in bodily functions including bone mineralization. – when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low – can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen . Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function – and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer – but this is still being investigated.

What are the symptoms of low vitamin D?

One of the most common symptoms of low vitamin D in women is bone pain. For many women, the pain reverberates throughout the entire skeletal system, but sometimes it can be concentrated in the legs or pelvic region. Other common symptoms are muscle weakness and fatigue, especially in the arms and legs, along with a decrease in muscle tone.

How do you treat vitamin D deficiency?

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency involves increasing the amount of vitamin D through diet, supplements, or spending a longer period in the sun.