Vitamin D and Fatigue
Low levels of vitamin D and fatigue are closely related to each other. Chronic fatigue is just one of the symptoms seen in patients who are deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be described as a condition that occurs when vitamin D levels in blood get too low. This problem is more common than you think. The thing is that most of us don’t know we are deficient in vitamin D, because this condition can remain asymptomatic for a long time. The symptoms will start when your vitamin D levels become extremely low. This is called “severe deficiency” and it is treated with large doses of vitamin D supplements. In most cases, doctors will prescribe D3 supplements to treat severe deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
● Osteoporosis
● Muscle weakness
● Muscle pain
● Rickets in children
● Chronic fatigue
● Bone pain
● Depression
● Bone fractures
● General weakness
● Osteomalacia
As you can see, vitamin D deficiency is characterized by non-specific symptoms, some of which are seen in other diseases. This makes it very hard to diagnose. If you experience any of these symptoms, and they become persistent, you need to visit your doctors and undergo a blood test. Vitamin D deficiency can be detected through blood tests; the symptoms are not reliable, because they can be caused by other factors.
Vitamin D and Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of low levels of vitamin D. However, this symptom can result from other diseases as well. Therefore, it is very important to visit your doctor for a blood test. If you have other symptoms besides fatigue, you may be seriously deficient in vitamin D. This condition needs to be treated as soon as possible, and you have to take it seriously, before it results in other health problems.
Most patients with vitamin D deficiency have chronic fatigue. In the beginning, people usually think that it is just a temporary problem and they expect it to go away on its own. However, fatigue caused by vitamin D deficiency will not just go away. In fact, it won’t go away until vitamin D levels become normal again.
Do not ignore this symptom. Even if it hasn’t been caused by vitamin D deficiency, you need to find its true cause. Fatigue can impair the quality of your life. This problem should be addressed, the sooner the better.
I just found out after having some test’s done that I have a Vitamin D deficiency. Not sure how severe it is yet. I hope this will explain being ver fatigued and just not being myself.
I was told by my OBGyn in Feb. That my vitamin D level was 7%. I have had a constant pain in my shoulder for almost 2 years and I am ALWAYS tired and I have started falling asleep in the middle of the day, whenever I read at night, while watching movies pretty much anytime I allow myself to sit still. I am never completely focused and I just feel foggy. I am only 30 years old and I feel so much older. I was given vitamin d meds to take , I took them and I haven’t been back for a follow up. It wasn’t until I read all of the comments on this site that I realized how serious it is and that my low vitamin d level could be the cause of all my pain and discomfort. I wll be in the doctors office as soon as I can get an appointment.
Update on my Vit D deficiency. Finished taking 8 pills of 50,000 IU’s each on April 20. Had my levels retested on MAY 2, went up to 67 or 68, started at 22.2. I am still fatigued, so vit D was not the reason for my fatigue. I was trying to eat more potassium rich foods, in two months, only went from 3.3 to 3.4.
I just had my vitamin D and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels checked and the Vitamin D level was 25 (which is low) and my TSH had actually came down from 74.6 to 7.15 (since I began taking Armour Thyroid 90mg). I have been experiencing severe fatigue, joint pain, lightheadedness, and decreased concentration. Im not sure how much Vitamin D to take but according to all of the MD related videos etc…it seems as if the toxic level of vit D is not until 30,000 IU / daily. I see that a lot of you take various strengths, and the higher the dosage, the more benefits. I am going to make an appointment with my endocrinologist to see what the deal is. I’m really tired of feeling this way
I found out I got a Vit D deficiency of 12 at the beginning of March. I’ve been told to take 3000iu a day for three months then 1000iu daily for another three after that. I’m very confused alot of the time and disorientated and I find it quite scary. I think I’ve had this for about ten years, I’m 31 now. I was admitted to hospital in 2002 with severe abdominal cramps, I had numerous visits to the GU clinic for pelvic excaminations. I also experienced urinary and incontinence problems for years which was very humiliating and restricted my beahviour and confidence. The distressing thing is that for years I’ve been treated for post traumatic stress, the sypmtoms cross over in alot of respects and I’m very upset about the all this time thinking it was entirely in my head. I am glad that there is now something I can do but when I got upset I can’t stop myself and it feels like it’s taking up even more of my time. I was put on beta blockers in 2010 for heart palpatations, anxiety and halluncinations and I couldn’t get out of bed for days at a time. I had to go part time last year beacuse I couldn’t cope but couldn’t explain why. I’ve cried so much in the last few weeks, this has taken up my twenties and caused so many difficulties with friends, family, work, study and partners. But most of all I blamed myself for not being able to back up my personality, ambition and verve with the effort they required. I’m in shock. My docotr says it will take a year….I hope its quick!!! I’m trying to take it slowly but it’s hard when you have watched your friends develop and you remain static. However, my frineds say I’m ‘lighter’ somehow because I’m no longer blaming myself. I’m so glad my current doctor did the test.
I have hypothroid. I have been fatigued for years. It got to the point where I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was tired of being tired all of the time. Saw my doctor and she did blood tests. Lab work came back everything was good except I had low levels of Vitamin D reading at 11. She started me on 50,000 units of vit. d twice a week for 8 weeks. Iam only one and a half weeks into it and I got 2 hours of sun the first three days, as I didn’t know how much I needed or that I shouldn’t wear sunscreen. I’m glad I found this sight. It gave me a lot of good information. I still struggle with fatigue daily. Today I got 20 min of sun and didn’t wear sunscreen. I will keep doing that every day. It sounds like I have a long road ahead of me from what I read here getting levels of Vitamin D back up to normal take a long time.
Peggy, First of all, a number 6 is CRAZY severely deficient. PLEASE seek a professional’s ad ice ASAP! I am trying to function with an 18ng/ mL deficiency. I’m in PAIN, chronic fatigue and screw the weight…I’m not sure how you are functioning. I can’t keep trying to explain these symptoms away…as soon as I say, Vit. D deficiency I am met with a stare and a look that can only convey how stupid and a wus I must be. This is REAL! My pain is real, my fatigue is real and I know the difference between my BONES and my muscles. I’m sick to death of the family, friends and myriad of doctors who refuse to believe me. I’m on my second Vit. D pill of 50,000 IU…I hope it helps soon!
Went skiing this winter 5 times and was more tired and drained that usual, especially the day after. Went to doctor on February 29, 2012 and found I had a vitamin D deficiency, my level was 22.2. I have been taking 50,000 IU’s once a week starting on March 2, 2012. On March 6, I dipped back into fatigue off and on. Got to be everyday. Called Doc and they did some more blood tests but were negative. But the fatigue frightens me so I would have anxiety. Plus I am 53 and having hot flashes from menopause and my sleep was disturbed. I became deep sleep deprived and anxious. Also one morning was sleeping on couch and suddenly sat up and couldn’t catch my breath at first. That really scared me and went to see Doc again, she said my level of anxiety was probably exhausting me further. So now I am trying to CALM DOWN. Have taken 6 vit D pills so far. I am praying alot. It has been a difficult time, sometimes I feel horrible from the fatigue. Am looking forward to when the fatigue lightens and I get some stamina back. My vitamin D levels get retested on May 1. Also I was a little low on Potassium, so I have to eat a lot of potassium rich foods. Wonder if I am low on anything else…..
I have had extreme fatigue, depression and muscle pain for years. Went to my OB/GYN and my vitamin D levels were very low. I just got on 25,000 IUs a day 10 days ago and my life has changed! I have energy, depression is completely gone and I feel like I woke up, no more fatigue. Before you go on anti-depressants or other medications please get your D levels checked. So easy it is just a blood test. So many people have it. We are stuck in offices all day, or wearing sunblock.
I was diagnosed with rls 5 years ago and take requip. I recently had hyrniatedvdisc surgery in my lower back and it failed and needs to be repeated and had a blood test for lupus come back positive which lupus runs in my family. And was put on 50,000 units of vit. D 3 weeks ago now there are nights when I can’t go to sleep. At least 3 times per week.
To Kathy OB S: After months of trying to determine why I was having muscle cramps and extreme fatigue I was told my vitamin d level was 12 also. My doctor has me on 50,000 IU’s once a week for four weeks in addition to 1,000 IU’s a day. My cramping has decreased significantly. I would get another opinion as to how much d you need in the short term to build your levels back up.
I’ve been having cramps in legs and feet for many years, and tried to find out what caused it. Had circulation tested and it was ok. My Dr. told me to drink soda water with quinine in it, it does help somewhat. Also have muscle spasms. Today I found out my Vitamin D level is a 12 and Doctor told me to take Vitamin D3, 1,000 IUs. Please let me know if you think this is what might have caused the cramps and will they go away? Thank You.
I am on 50,000 ic and before taking I was having bad muscle cramps, pelvis pain and suffereing a uti. Just based on what I have been reading on the internet all of this could be related. So I would think yest to your questions. I have been taking the vitamin and the muscle aches are very little but this morning I woke up just tired. I have doctor appt today. I hope you feel better.
I just got my blood work back and my Vitamin D level is a 6. I am severely depressed and have been going through medications trying to get help. Could this deficiency be part of my problem? Thank you so much for your help!