The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency
Very few people are actually familiar with vitamin D deficiency and all the dangers it can bring. In fact, most of us have heard of vitamin D, but very few of us are familiar with complications that can result from low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented, if you control your vitamin D levels. The only way to measure vitamin D levels in blood is to undergo blood tests. If you learn more about vitamin D deficiency causes, you will be able to prevent this condition.
Vitamin D is often called “the sunshine vitamin”. It is produced in the skin of animals and humans, during the sun exposure. People who don’t spend enough time in the sun (they are housebound or they live in cold climates), are at greater risk of developing this problem. If that’s the case with you, you should consult your doctor about other methods of getting enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D foods should be included in your daily menu. However, the quantities of vitamin D found in these foods are just not satisfactory. If you wanted to get enough vitamin D from foods, you would have to eat huge amounts of dairy products, meat, eggs and fish, which would definitely affect your health in a negative way. The quantities of vitamin D in these foods are valuable, but not good enough to prevent deficiency. If you want to be certain that you are getting enough vitamin D, perhaps the best option is to use vitamin D supplements. However, you will have to consult your doctor about this!
The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency
Low levels of vitamin D can cause serious health issues. Certain diseases can be triggered by vitamin D deficiency. Here are several of them.
● Bone deformities
● Osteoporosis
● Depression
● Rickets
● Chronic fatigue
● Multiple sclerosis
● High blood pressure
● Bone fractures
● People who suffer from type II diabetes may have problems with controlling this disease, if their vitamin D levels are too low
● People who are obese will have difficulties losing weight if their vitamin D levels in blood are lower than normal
- Depression is one of the most common problems in people who have long-term deficiency. The problem with depression is that it can result from any other factor. People often fail to relate depression with vitamin D deficiency. If you are feeling depressed, and it has been going on for a long time, you should measure your vitamin D levels. If you have been using antidepressants, but you don’t see any improvement, you need to stop taking these medications and take a blood test to see what’s really wrong.
- If your immune system is weak, this can indicate vitamin D deficiency. You will be vulnerable to flu and all kinds of infections, so it will be wise to have your vitamin D levels measured before they become too low!
- Rickets in children (and osteomalacia in adults) are some of the common problems related to vitamin D deficiency. These bone deformities can be very difficult to treat.
I have chronic fatigue and feel depressed. Recently have had lower back pain all the time. Just found out my Vitamin D level is extremely low. I wish someone would have checked this sooner.
For years I have suffered from what was diagnosed as fibro but seems closer to cfs. I have gotten blood tests and am always told nothing is wrong. Recently I got about a 7 day bout of fatigue so bad that I had to lie still and could not even read because light hurt my eyes.This was the worst in years. I needed help to sit up. I decided this was the time to get tests done again. My husband took me in to the doctor and I asked for a more complete blood work up. My Vitamin D level was 6. My B12 was borderline and liver enzymes slightly raised. I am starting on pharmaceutical Vitamin D and over the counter B12 and getting a liver sonogram and some more blood tests. I wonder if in all these 15 years anyone ever tested my D-level before. I don’t want to get my hopes up but it seems that my D is low enough that raising it should make some improvement.
All my life I was susceptible to frequent bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. Its been sinus infections the last 9 years. I had infectious mono in high school and hepatitis in college. Also take meds for depression and ADD. Anyway 6 seems extremely low.
Vitamin D deficiency causes serious problems, especially if left untreated.
● Bone deformities (especially in children), osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypertension, depression, constant fatigue, pain in muscles and bone fractures
● Rickets
● High cholesterol in blood
● Vitamin D deficiency can worsen diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D cannot cause diabetes, but this disease can get worse if a person is deficient in vitamin D.
● Immune system can become weak and the body will be vulnerable to all kinds of infections
● Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
● Obesity and vitamin D deficiency go hand in hand. According to numerous researches, vitamin D deficiency can prevent you from losing weight. If you cannot lose any weight, perhaps you should check your vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D deficiency can result in serious complications. The worst thing about this condition is that it can remain undiagnosed for quite a long time. In most people, mild deficiency is asymptomatic. The symptoms will start when vitamin D levels get too low.
● I used to have very low levels of vitamin D. I went through all kinds of problems, until my doctors finally discovered that I was deficient. I was put on 50 000 IU once a week and my condition started to improve. I could not lose any weight, had some sleeping issues and my whole body was in pain. I knew that something was seriously wrong. Now I am happy to see my body recovering. I will continue to take 1000 Units daily for the rest of my life
My vitamin D levels were measured a couple of days ago: 11! This is very bad, as you know. My doctors told me that I must have been deficient in at least five years. I was put on 50 000 weekly and my condition improved. I started feeling much better and I will definitely continue with vitamin D supplements. Of course, my dosage will be modified after my vitamin D level gets back to normal. If any of you have problems like pain in muscles, bone pain, depression or inability to lose weight, go to your doctor and ask for some blood work. Your vitamin D levels may be low! If you catch this in time, your recovery will last shorter and you will avoid pain and other complications.
also goes for me. I have a Vit D supplement once a week.
But I wonder if it will help much since I also have some extra pounds. As I have read these fat cells extract the vit D out of the blood. So it sounds like i will be serving the fat cells?!
thanks for your ideas
I just found out that my vitamin D level is 18. I have all the symptoms I have to take 5000 units 3x s per week. I have heart disease, and had a Widow Maker in 2006. I received two stents. I had cramps in my legs, tired all the time, and felling depressed too! Wish I could feel better fast. Thanks to my doctor, and my complaining all the time. They put me on meds. I guess I’ll start felling better soon.
Hi,
i had vit D3 as low as 9 & B12 low as 125 four months back. therafter i was given shots and tablets. A month later i found D3 at 75 and B12 at 305. However i had been experiencing muscle weakness in my upper limbs since almost a year . It eventually ended in pain while lifting my left arm and i am told i have a frozen shoulder. HAs this been triggered off by the d3 and b12 deficiencies? Any suggestions. I am in pain so please help.
Don’t know if any of you have heard of the growing silent epidemic of Lyme Disease, but you might want to do some research. Especially those of you experiencing weakness and pain in the joints, etc.
i have low vitamin d how can i cure it?
I was diagnosed with low vitamin D also and am anemic. My doc put me on 50000 units one per week and I’m doing fine so far. No symptoms. I would have never checked my levels until I heard Dr. Oz on TV stressing the importance of this vitamin. After I take it three months I have to take 1000 units per day. I hope I feel better soon. I have been so fatigued and sore muscles and knew something was wrong.And then not being able to sleep or lose weight also is a common symptom.
hi well i went for my bloodwork this past wkend they left me all bruised never had that happen before anyone experience that while on vit d? anyways I dicided to take vitd 5000ui for several weeks and i forgot it several times last week due to my busy schedule and boy did i suffer. the joint pains were so bad , my back and fingers especially now i take them first thing in the am and decided to take vit bs at night so i dont overwhelm my body with vitamins all at once. it seems like the fog is lifting but now i am going through some stressful times and i notice it affects my joints alot and make me want to eat which i cant afford to gain anymore weight till my vitamin defiencies get straighened out.
I have been diagnosed with low vitamin D, 24. To be very honest I’m afraid to take the 50000 iu recommended weekly. I have had a serve side effects to other medication within the last two months and taking a pill, just freaks me out. I was wondering what kind of side effects has anyone had with the high dose vitamin, I’m often alone and concerned about side-effects and on the other hand worried what can happen to me if I don’t take it. I have suffered with anxiety, and previous taken kloniipn, has anyone experienced side-effects with this medication and vitamin d? Plaque in the arteries is another concern too, I already have some build up,medication. Has anyone experienced kloniipn and vitamin d
I was finally diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and low iron today. I’m an 11. I’ve been suffering for the last maybe 6 yrs. Not one doctor thought to check vitamin D levels until this doctor. I thought I was a candidate for RA. I’ve taken Synthroid in the past and was fed up with doctors disregarding my complaints. I am 42 feeling like 82. I have complained about all that you ladies have shared. I’m hoping that despite all the years gone by that this doctor caught it in time. I know doctors are human but there are some who need to go back to school or just retire. Important not to give up on finding the right one. I’ve gone through 5 doctors and many times without insurance. I feel blessed to just take a pill once a week and iron compared to medications that cause more damage than good. Good luck to you both.
Hey Annebelle…
I too have low vitamin D…..10, not as low as yours. I have felt tired, sleepy, muscle wellness, confusion and depression for 10 years. In fact my work put me on a leave of absence due to the fact that at work I kept nodding off, fainting and seemed generally confused…and I’m a nurse. I just found out about my vitamin D levels yesterday. Hopefully the high doses of D3 my doctor prescribed will work. I’m also severly low on my vitamin B…59 and am taking shots for that. Hang in there. I think it will get better. Take care.
i was diagnosed with low vitamin d less than 5 so i guess its really low compared to others comments posted here doc said take 2000 iu daily have been for over a year and its gone up to 17 but them other doc gave me 50000iu to take one a week for 4 weeks i need to go for blood work to see if its got better. they say i might have rematoid arthiritis or some other nerve or muscle thing hard to know and those tests are so expensive. anyway i too have thought its all in my head, the nervousness, the weakness and achyness, tired oh so tired i could sleep for days, dont feel like going anywhere or doing anything feel like I’m eighty or something. perimenopause or so the doc say. I’m sick and tired of it all, is this just a woman thing once i passed thirtyfive ive felt so down maybe this vitamin d thing has caused it all?