Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is a very important vitamin that has a great impact on the body’s immune system and the proper functioning of organs. Vitamin D, unlike other vitamins, acts like a hormone and every cell in the body has a receptor for it. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, the body makes vitamin D from cholesterol. Additionally, it is found in some foods such as fatty fish and processed dairy products, but it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from the diet. It is recommended to consume about 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily; But most experts say that the daily intake should be more than this.
Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It is estimated that the level of vitamin D in the blood of about one billion people around the world is low. According to a 2011 study, 41.6% of US adults suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This figure reaches 69.2% in the Spanish population and 82.1% in the African-American race.
Factors affecting vitamin D reduction
Some special conditions and being in some situations can cause a decrease in vitamin D in the body. People who live near the equator and are constantly exposed to sunlight are less likely to be deficient in vitamin D because their skin produces enough vitamin D to meet the body’s needs.
Most people don’t know they have a vitamin D deficiency because the symptoms are usually mild. Even if these symptoms significantly affect your quality of life negatively, you may simply not notice vitamin D deficiency. In the following, we mention 7 high-risk factors that are effective in the occurrence of vitamin D deficiency.
- dark skin
- old age
- Overweight or obesity
- Not eating enough fish and dairy products
- Living in areas of the earth that do not get enough light throughout the year
- Constant use of sunscreen
- Staying at home too much
Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
1. Persistent disease and infection
One of the most important functions of vitamin D is to keep the immune system strong so that the body can fight against viruses and bacteria that cause disease. This vitamin interacts directly with cells that are responsible for fighting infection.
If you are deficient in vitamin D, you will get sick more often. especially if you get a cold or flu; These are signs of a weak immune system and can be caused by vitamin D deficiency.
The results of several studies on vitamin D deficiency show that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory tract infections such as colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. A number of studies show that daily consumption of 4,000 IU of vitamin D supplements reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections. In one study of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, only those who were severely deficient in vitamin D experienced benefits after taking a strong supplement for a year.
2. Excessive fatigue and weakness
Feeling tired can have different reasons and lack of vitamin D is one of these reasons. Unfortunately, this condition is often overlooked as a possible cause. Case studies show that low levels of vitamin D in the blood lead to excessive fatigue, which has a negative impact on the quality of life.
In a study, it was found that the level of vitamin D in a woman who suffered from fatigue and headache during the day was only 5.9 ng/ml. This number is too low because anything below 20 ng/ml is considered deficient. When this woman started taking the supplement, her vitamin D level increased to 39 ng/ml and her symptoms resolved.
However, even if the level of vitamin D in the blood is not that low, it still has a negative effect on a person’s energy level.
In an observational study, the relationship between vitamin D and fatigue in young women was investigated. The results showed that women whose blood vitamin D level was less than 20 ng/ml or 21-29 ng/ml suffered from extreme fatigue more than women whose blood vitamin D level was above 30 ng/ml.
According to another observational study of female nurses, there was a consistent association between low vitamin D levels and reported fatigue. In addition, researchers found that 89% of nurses are vitamin D deficient.
To learn more about ways to reduce fatigue, read about 11 of the best vitamins and supplements to boost energy.
In order to reduce the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, taking this vitamin supplement can be very useful.
3. Back and bone pain
Vitamin D helps maintain bone health in different ways. The low level of vitamin D in the blood can be the cause of back pain and bone pain or contribute to its occurrence. This vitamin increases the ability of the body to absorb calcium. Bone and back pain can be symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Studies show that there is a link between vitamin D deficiency and chronic back pain. A study examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and back pain in more than 9,000 middle-aged women. The researchers found that women with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have back pain, including severe pain that interferes with daily activities. According to a controlled study, people with vitamin D deficiency were twice as likely to feel pain in their leg bones, ribs, or joints than those with normal blood levels of vitamin D.
4. depression
It is interesting to know that depression can be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Researchers link vitamin D deficiency to depression, especially in adults.
According to one review, 65% of observational studies indicated a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression. On the other hand, most of the controlled trials, which have a higher scientific burden than observational research, did not find a connection between the two. However, researchers evaluating the research note that vitamin D doses in controlled trials were too low.
In addition, they found that some studies did not last long enough to examine the effects of supplement use on mood. Some controlled research suggests that giving vitamin D deficiency to people with a deficiency can help improve depression, including seasonal depression that occurs in the colder months. In summary, depression is related to low levels of vitamin D in the blood, and some researches show that supplement consumption helps to improve mood.
5. Impaired ability to heal wounds
If a scar heals slowly after surgery or an injury, the person may be deficient in vitamin D. Research results show that vitamin D increases the production of compounds that are vital for the formation of new skin as part of the wound healing process.
According to a study conducted on people who had dental surgery, some aspects of treatment were affected by vitamin D deficiency. It is also said that the role of vitamin D in controlling inflammation and fighting infection is important for proper treatment. In an evaluation, diabetic patients who suffered from foot infection were examined. The results showed that the possibility of inflammation, which slows down the treatment process, was higher in people with severe vitamin D deficiency.
Unfortunately, little research has been done on the effect of vitamin D supplements on the wound healing process in people with vitamin D deficiency. However, the results of one study show that when patients with vitamin D deficiency due to foot injuries were treated with vitamin D supplementation, the size of the wound was reduced by an average of 28%.
6. Bone decay
Vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium absorption and bone metabolism. Many elderly people with osteoporosis think they should take more calcium. While they may have vitamin D deficiency.
Low bone mineral density indicates that the bone has lost calcium and other minerals. This makes the elderly, especially women, more vulnerable to bone fractures.
Researchers in an observational study on more than 1,100 middle-aged postmenopausal or menopausal women found a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and decreased bone mineral density.
However, controlled research shows that vitamin D-deficient women improved their blood vitamin D levels after taking strong supplements, but their bone mineral density did not improve. Despite these results, consuming enough vitamin D and maintaining its optimal level in the blood is a good way to protect bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
Summary: Low bone mineral density can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Sufficient consumption of this vitamin is important to maintain bone density with age.
7. hair loss
Hair loss is often attributed to stress, which is certainly a common cause. However, if hair loss is severe, it may occur as a result of illness or nutrient deficiency. Studies show that hair loss in women is related to low levels of vitamin D in the blood, although little research has been done in this field.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease characterized by severe hair loss on the head and other parts of the body. This condition is related to rickets, which causes soft bones in children due to vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency is related to regional baldness and can be a risk factor for the occurrence of this disease. According to a study conducted on people with baldness, vitamin D deficiency is usually associated with severe hair loss.
8. muscles pain
In most cases, it is difficult to correctly diagnose the cause of muscle pain. Some evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency can be a possible cause of muscle pain in children and adults. In one study, 71% of those suffering from chronic pain were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D receptors are present in nerve cells called nociceptors, which perceive and feel pain.
According to a research conducted on mice, vitamin D deficiency leads to pain and sensitivity due to the stimulation of pain receptors in the muscles.
A number of studies show that taking strong vitamin D supplements can reduce a variety of pain in people with a deficiency.
A study of 120 vitamin D deficient children who suffered from growth pains found that a single dose of vitamin D reduced pain by 57%.
Do not forget that there is a connection between chronic pain and vitamin D deficiency, which may be due to the interaction between vitamin D and pain perception neurons.
Normal range of vitamin D at different ages
The required amount of vitamin D is different at every age and therefore every person should use a certain amount of this vitamin during the day. In the following, you can get to know the required range of vitamin D during the day.
Age, the required amount of vitamin D per day
0 to 6 months 25 mcg or 1000 IU
7 to 12 months 38 mcg or 1500 IU
1 to 3 years 63 mcg or 2500 IU
4 to 8 years 75 mcg or 3000 IU
9 years and older 100 mcg or 4000 IU
Complications of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone health and regulation of the body’s immune system. Studies show that this vitamin can help prevent cancer and prevent heart diseases. In many cases, vitamin D deficiency can be resolved by taking vitamin D tablets, and in some cases, the doctor uses vitamin D ampoules for faster treatment. Studies show that severe vitamin D deficiency can increase the likelihood of bone and immune system problems. According to research, people who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to suffer from diseases such as MS, lupus, cancer, cognitive and intellectual disorders, heart diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), skeletal diseases, and type 2 diabetes. But the complications of vitamin D deficiency are not only limited to these cases.
Usually, vitamin D deficiency can lead to a decrease in the body’s calcium level (hypocalcemia), a decrease in the body’s phosphate level (hypophosphatemia), rickets (softening of bones in childhood), osteomalacia (softening of bones in adults), as well as a decrease in bone density and the occurrence of successive fractures. be in the bones
Symptoms of excess vitamin D in the body
Just as the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are very annoying and cause serious health problems, the excess of this vitamin in the body also causes problems. This problem is usually very rare and is caused by excessive consumption of vitamin D tablets. In the following, you can learn about the most common side effects of consuming too much vitamin D.
- nausea
- Increased urine volume
- Feeling very thirsty
- loss of appetite
- constipation
- weakness
- confusion
- Difficulty speaking
last word
Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and most people are unaware of it. The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often mild and unclear, which means that it is difficult to know whether these symptoms are due to vitamin D deficiency or have another cause. In order to reduce the complications of vitamin D deficiency and also to prevent serious problems in the immune system, it is better to test your vitamin D every year or every 6 months. Fortunately, treatment for vitamin D deficiency is usually simple. You can get more sun exposure or eat more foods rich in vitamin D (such as fatty fish and processed dairy products).
