14 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency That Every Person Must Know

The deficiency of Vitamin D is a health condition commonly taking place in people who take a poor diet, avoid sunlight, take DIY medications, etc. Vitamin D is largely useful in maintaining bone health and mood; it also helps in warding off cancer, heart disease, depression, constipation, fatigue, and more.
We discuss below top 14 signs of vitamin D deficiency that imply that your body lacks this nutrient largely or entirely.

Key Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

The average person’s vitamin D levels can fall by as much as 75% just from living a primarily indoor lifestyle with less than 6-15 minutes of exposure to the sun on a daily basis.

A few other principal causes of vitamin D deficiency in people can be a diet low in fat-soluble vitamins, lactose intolerance, alcoholism, and shingles.

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Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

While the signs of vitamin D deficiency said above are common to take place in most people, there are some instances of people who do not experience any or low levels of this nutrient lacking in their bodies. 

Top 14 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

1. Fatigue

If there is a lack of vitamin D in the body, fatigue commonly comes to pass. The condition may worsen if you are a person having less exposure to the sun.

2. Depression

Vitamin D is likely to help to regulate moods by keeping up serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Deficiency is likely to lead to mood swings.

3.Constipation

Constipation is another critical condition which is the offshoot of the deficiency of vitamin D. It is worth noting that this symptom can refer to an underlying condition or disease.

4. Osteoporosis and bone fractures

Osteoporosis is defined as a disease where there is inadequate bone formation and excessive breakdown of bone leading to porous, brittle bones that fracture easily as a result of minor trauma or normal activity.

5. Muscle weakness

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to the debility of muscles, which may be especially apparent during the colder months.

6. Back pain

Muscle tension, back pain, and bone pain may all be one of the key 14 signs of  vitamin D deficiency.

7. Headaches

8 to 10% of headaches are due to the deficiency of vitamin D and calcium in the brain, so it is of crucial importance to rule out this possibility while going through chronic headaches.

8. Poor libido

A lesser amount of vitamin D in the body may cause sexual dysfunction as well as a drop-off in libido. 

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9. Anxiety

The deficiency may trigger various critical ailments such as depression, mania, and bipolar disorder.

10. Generalized aches and pains

12 to 15% of people with chronic or severe pain are found to have lesser amounts of vitamin D in their bodies. These people typically experience decreased mobility and enhanced sensitivity to pain as well as other 14 signs of deficiency. Acute pain is another sign of vitamin D deficiency that may be present when going through a sudden injury or trauma, for example, falling down or twisting an ankle.

11. Bone pain

A body having no or less amounts of vitamin D may contribute to calcium deposits in the joints and muscles.

12. High blood pressure

As reported by many reliable sources, the lack of vitamin D was the number one contributor to high blood pressure, so it is well worth investigating if you have high blood pressure that cannot be managed with medication or dietary changes.

13. Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is taken to be granted as an autoimmune disorder, which is generalized a breakdown of the body’s immune system. The symptoms commonly include muscle weakness, and tremors and are likely to vary. 

14. Muscle twitches

Twitching in the muscles may be a symptom of lesser amounts of vitamin D.

A human body lacking Vitamin D is very likely to trigger various other diseases and critical conditions. In general, doctors check individuals with vitamin D deficiency to ensure whether they have multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, bone pain, and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D Intake

The regular intake recommended for vitamin D is 400 IU for juniors and 600 IU for grownup individuals. To get at this intake, you would want to start taking a D supplement with 2,000 IU of vitamin D. However, ensure to avoid taking vitamin D, for example, 10,000 IU or more too much, as it may have consequences eventually. Put simply, taking vitamin D supplements in amounts more than recommended can often result in altered calcium metabolism. It can trigger various conditions, for example, vomiting, nausea, and even kidney damage in the body. 

The amount of vitamin D present in different foods is dependent on the type of food. A single serving of fortified milk contains 100 IU of vitamin D; a 3 ounce serving of salmon has 200 IU; and one serving of chicken breast contains about 20 IU.

Natural Sources

A few excellent natural sources are fish (for example, salmon or tuna), fortified milk products (available in the form of yogurt or cereal, egg yolks), and beef liver. Exposure to the sunlight (specifically UVB rays) is also another valuable source. This is because our bodies naturally convert UVB rays into vitamin D. 

Image Credit: EastWest Physiotherapy

Supplements

Vitamin D supplements play a pivotal role in keeping up our body fit and healthy in a variety of ways we have discussed above. However, before taking the supplements, ensure that you take it less than 10,000 IU and in small, infrequent amounts regularly so as to prevent vitamin toxicity from happening in your body. 

Summing up

In addition to the top 14 signs of vitamin D deficiency discussed above, it is worth knowing various other potential symptoms. Also, these signs are subject to vary from person to person. So before taking any supplements, get your body checked up well by a doctor to ensure your vitamin D levels are adequate or have any treatments for conditions such as depression, osteoporosis, or multiple sclerosis.

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Vikas

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