Medication
You are struggling with weight gain
- You have low energy levels and feel constantly tired.
- You are struggling with depression or anxiety
- You are experiencing problems with your immune system.
- You are struggling with bone and joint pain.
- You are suffering from hair loss
- You are struggling with weight gain
Self-care
- Are over the age of 65 (both skin production of vitamin D and gut absorption of vitamin D becomes lower as we get older)
- Are obese (or have lost weight from bariatric surgery)
- Are taking certain medicines, such as phenytoin
- Have osteoporosis or thin bones
- Have limited sun exposure
Nutrition
- Older age
- Darkly pigmented skin
- Reduced sun exposure due to seasonal variation or living far from the equator
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Kidney or liver disease
What are the signs of low vitamin D?
The two main factors that cause low vitamin D is: Sun-Exposure (usually between the months of October and April when the sun is less bright) Obesity (those with higher body fat are more likely to have lower vitamin D levels)
What is the normal range for vitamin D 25?
What are the consequences of ingesting too little vitamin D?
What causes low vitamin D?
See more
What does low vitamin D hydroxy mean?
Low blood levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D usually mean one (or more) of the following: you aren't eating a balanced, complete diet. your intestines aren't absorbing the vitamin properly. you're not spending enough time outside to absorb adequate vitamin D levels through sun exposure.
How can I increase my vitamin D 25-Hydroxy?
Spend time in sunlight. Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient. ... Consume fatty fish and seafood. ... Eat more mushrooms. ... Include egg yolks in your diet. ... Eat fortified foods. ... Take a supplement. ... Try a UV lamp.
What is a good vitamin D hydroxy level?
Normal Results Many experts recommend a level between 20 and 40 ng/mL. Others recommend a level between 30 and 50 ng/mL.
What is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level?
The major circulating form of vitamin D is 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D); thus, the total serum 25(OH)D level is currently considered the best indicator of vitamin D supply to the body from cutaneous synthesis and nutritional intake. The reference range of the total 25(OH)D level is 25-80 ng/mL.
What is a dangerously low vitamin D level?
A level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/mL is considered adequate for healthy people. A level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.
Is vitamin D deficiency serious?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
Is vitamin D 25 Hydroxy the same as D3?
Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol and comes from plant-based sources. Vitamin D3 is cholecalciferol and comes from animal-based sources. Both supplements are processed in the body by the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, though vitamin D3 is thought to provide higher levels of 25D.
Can low vitamin D cause neurological symptoms?
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that plays a role in many different functions in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can cause a number of neurological problems, including fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
What symptoms does low vitamin D cause?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression....Can you ever have too much vitamin D?Nausea.Increased thirst and urination.Poor appetite.Constipation.Weakness.Confusion.Ataxia (a neurological condition that may cause slurring of words and stumbling).
How long does it take to recover from vitamin D deficiency?
“If you put people on 2,000-4,000 [milligrams] of vitamin D based on what their deficient value was, you can usually get them corrected in four to six weeks, which is when you are really going to need the vitamin D.
What does it mean if your Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy result is too low?
Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, because it helps the body use calcium from the diet. Traditionally, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with rickets, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn’t properly mineralize, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. Another potential issue stemming from vitamin D deficiency is osteoporosis, which is seen most prevalent in the elderly—particularly women. This is because all our bones naturally lose calcium over a lifetime, but the process of creating a healthy baby adds an extra toll on women’s bones. Additionally, low blood levels of the vitamin have been associated with the following:
What is vitamin D toxicity?
Vitamin D toxicity is a rare but potentially serious condition that occurs when you have excessive amounts of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D toxicity is usually caused by megadoses of vitamin D supplements—not by diet or sun exposure. The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in your blood, which can cause poor appetite, ...
What is the best vitamin D level?
Optimal Result: 30 - 100 ng/mL, or 74.88 - 249.60 nmol/L. Vitamin D’s main role is that is helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy.
Who is at risk for vitamin D deficiency?
A healthcare professional may order this test if a person is at risk of having vitamin D deficiency, including: - People who don’t get much exposure to the sun. - Older adults. - People who are obese. - Babies who are breastfed only (formula is usually fortified) - People who have had gastric bypass surgery.
How to know if you have vitamin D deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight. Appointments & Access. Contact Us. Overview. Symptoms and Causes. Diagnosis and Tests. Management and Treatment. Prevention.
What happens when you take vitamin D?
It is that active form that promotes optimal absorption of calcium from your diet.
Why is vitamin D important for obese people?
Obesity often makes it necessary to take larger doses of vitamin D supplements in order to reach and maintain normal D levels. Kidney and liver diseases: These diseases reduce the amount of an enzyme needed to change vitamin D to a form that is used in the body.
How does the parathyroid gland work?
Working with parathyroid glands: The parathyroid glands work minute to minute to balance the calcium in the blood by communicating with the kidneys, gut and skeleton. When there is sufficient calcium in the diet and sufficient active Vitamin D, dietary calcium is absorbed and put to good use throughout the body.
What does it mean when you don't have enough vitamin D?
Vitamin D deficiency means that you do not have enough vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D is unique because your skin actually produces it by using sunlight. Fair-skinned individuals and those who are younger convert sunshine into vitamin D far better than those who are darker-skinned and over age 50.
Why do we need vitamin D?
You need vitamin D so that calcium and phosphorus can be used to build bones. In adults, having soft bones is a condition called osteomalacia. Absorbing calcium: Vitamin D, along with calcium, helps build bones and keep bones strong and healthy.
Why do doctors check vitamin D levels?
Doctors do not usually order routine checks of vitamin D levels, but they might need to check your levels if you have certain medical conditions or risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Sometimes vitamin D levels can be checked as a cause of symptoms such as long-lasting body aches, a history of falls or bone fractures without significant trauma.
How to treat 25 hydroxyvitamin D?
Diet, supplements and sun exposure are three important sources of vitamin D. If you are less exposed to sunlight, try to go out in sunlight for at least 30 minutes in a day. You can apply sunscreen before going out in sun.
Why is 25 hydroxyvitamin D important?
25 hydroxyvitamin d monitoring is useful in people who are at risk of suffering from vitamin D deficiency. 25 hydroxyvitamin d test is also useful if you are already found to have vitamin D deficiency.
How to tell if you have vitamin D deficiency?
Symptoms Of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency 1 Frequent bone pain and muscle weakness are primary symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D strengthens bones as it facilitates absorption of calcium. Deficiency leads to severe bone pain and condition called osteomalacia. 2 Vitamin D deficiency also produces weakness of skeletal muscles. Many children find difficulty in walking or walk late if they have vitamin D deficiency. Elderly patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency have muscle weakness and porous bones. They frequently fall while walking and are at greater risk of suffering from fracture of hip. 3 Rickets is a disease of childhood. It occurs due to chronic deficiency of vitamin D. Due to lack of calcium absorption the bones become weak. The leg bones become bowed due to body weight. The child often complains of leg pain and muscle pain. Bony prominence of the breast bone, thickened wrist are some of the symptoms of rickets. 4 Low blood level of 25 hydroxyvitamin d is also known to increase the risk of certain heart attacks, high blood pressure, cancer, lowered immunity, depression and diabetes.
What are the sources of vitamin D?
One of the important sources of vitamin D is UV rays of sun. The other important sources of vitamin D are fish, eggs, milk and other fortified dairy products. Your body cannot utilize vitamin D directly when your skin is exposed to sunlight or from the food that you eat.
What foods are good for vitamin D?
Eat food that is a source of vitamin D such as fish, eggs, milk and dairy products. Many fortified dairy products are now available. Besides since 25 hydroxyvitamin d is processed of metabolized by liver, avoid alcohol as it harms the liver.
What is the most accurate test for vitamin D?
It circulates in the blood. Simple blood test of 25 hydroxyvitamin d helps to monitor how much vitamin D is present in body. 25-hydroxyvitamin d test is considered as most accurate marker to know vitamin D status in your body.
Does 25 hydroxyvitamin D cause rickets?
Bony prominence of the breast bone, thickened wrist are some of the symptoms of rickets. Low blood level of 25 hydroxyvitamin d is also known to increase the risk of certain heart attacks, high blood pressure, cancer, lowered immunity, depression and diabetes.
What does 25 hydroxyvitamin D mean?
The amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in your blood is a good indication of how much vitamin D your body has. The test can determine if your vitamin D levels are too high or too low. The test is also known as the 25-OH vitamin D test and the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalcifoerol test. It can be an important indicator of osteoporosis (bone weakness) ...
Why do doctors do 25 hydroxy?
Why is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test done? Your doctor may request a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test for several different reasons. It can help them figure out whether too much or too little vitamin D is causing bone weakness or other abnormalities. It can also monitor people who are at risk for having a vitamin D deficiency.
What happens if you take too many vitamin D?
High vitamin D blood levels generally result from taking too many vitamin pills and other nutritional supplements. High doses of vitamin D can result in a condition called hypervitaminosis D. Hypervitaminosis is a rare but serious condition that could put you at risk for liver or kidney problems.
What is the best vitamin for bones?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and maintain strong bones throughout your entire life. Your body produces vitamin D when the sun’s UV rays contact your skin. Other good sources of the vitamin include fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products. It’s also available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D must go through several processes in your ...
What is the highest level of vitamin D?
high levels: higher than 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL) If your vitamin D levels are low and you’re having symptoms of bone pain, a doctor may recommend a special scan to check bone density. Doctors use this painless scan to evaluate a person’s bone health. Low blood levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D usually mean one (or more) of the following: ...
How long before a vitamin D test can you eat?
Your doctor will tell you not to eat anything for four to eight hours before the test. The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test requires a common blood test. Your healthcare provider will draw blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. A quick finger prick will more than likely provide enough for a blood sample in children and infants.
What disease makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients?
people who have a disease that affects the intestines and makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, such as Crohn’s disease
Why is 25 hydroxy a deficiency?
If there is a deficiency present, then the most common reasons are because of a dietary issue or that someone isn’t getting enough sunlight exposure during the day. Certain drugs, such as Dilantin, have also been known to interfere with 25-hydroxy production.
What is the normal range for vitamin D?
An individual can be deficient in one or in both vitamins. Normal results for Vitamin D are anything above 30 ng/mL, while normal results for the 25-hydroxyvitamin are anything above 20 ng/mL. Normal results typically mean no further testing is necessary.
Why is it important to look at the ingredients of a calcium supplement before adding Vitamin D as an additional supplement?
Many calcium supplements contain Vitamin D in them because it is necessary to have the vitamin present for the calcium to be processed properly.
What is the most accurate blood test for vitamin D?
The Vitamin D 25-hydroxy blood test is considered to be the most accurate method of determining how much of this vitamin is within the body. When it is in the kidneys, it is converted into an active vitamin that helps to control calcium and phosphate levels.
Can vitamin deficiencies cause cancer?
Deficiencies in these vitamins may increase the risk of certain serious health issues developing in the future. This includes certain cancers, immune diseases, and heart disease. For most people, only prescription level supplements of these vitamins can lead to toxicity.
Does cod liver oil cause rickets?
For kids, having a Vitamin D deficiency can lead to the development of juvenile rickets.
Can high vitamin D levels cause calcification?
Although high Vitamin D levels can lead to calcification, the danger is that magnesium levels are too low. This creates a calcium that is resistant to the vitamin and can create calcification even though the blood test results came back as normal.
What is the recommended level of 25(OH)D?
At the present time, 25(OH)D levels in the range of 30 to 60 ng/mL are considered optimal, but higher levels up to 100 ng/mL are often seen in individuals with outdoor occupations receiving intense sun exposure without ill effects.55Correlative studies of 25(OH)D with muscle strength or risk of breast or colon cancer have prompted several investigators to suggest that the optimal 25OHD target for multiple health outcomes is 40 to 50 ng/mL.19,20Garland et al23suggest that increasing 25(OH)D to a range of 40 to 60 ng/mL from the current US average could reduce risk of breast cancer by 25% and colon cancer by 27%. Intakes of at least 4,000 IU daily from all sources would be needed to maintain 25(OH)D levels of 40 to 60 ng/mL. Practically speaking, supplements of 2,000 IU daily plus some sun exposure would probably be required to maintain a 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL year round.23
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be rather nonspecific and include fatigue, altered mood and depression, insomnia, nonradicular back pain, arthralgias (particularly of the wrists, ankles, shoulders, and shins), proximal muscle weakness, headache, and hair loss.76,77Symptoms are uncommon with 25(OH)D levels greater than 20 ng/mL, and even individuals with mild to moderate deficiency may not spontaneously complain of symptoms unless they are undergoing treatment that results in reduced formation of 1,25(OH)2D or decreased vitamin D receptor activation, such as estrogen depletion as the result of aromatase-inhibitor therapy. In a pilot study, we found that 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly for 12 weeks was effective in treating vitamin D insufficiency in women receiving the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, and higher levels of 25(OH)D were associated with reduced disability from aromatase inhibitor–associated joint pain.78
What is vitamin D adequacy?
Vitamin D adequacy is currently defined as a function of calcium homeostasis, with lower vitamin D levels resulting in reduced absorption of calcium from the gut and/or elevations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) considered in adequate. Blood levels of the prohormone 25(OH)D, with a half-life of 2 to 3 weeks, are used to describe vitamin D sufficiency rather than levels of 1,25(OH)2D, which has a half-life of only 3 to 4 hours.54,58Furthermore, in early vitamin D depletion, blood levels of 1,25(OH)2D can be misleading because they may rise initially in response to elevations in PTH, which is sensitive to reductions in 25(OH)D, before they begin to fall with prolonged precursor depletion.51,63
How much vitamin D is needed for bone health?
Vitamin D sufficiency is defined in terms of the serum level of the prohormone 25(OH)D required for bone health, which is 30 to 32 ng/mL. Maintenance of a 30 to 32 ng/mL serum level requires approximately 2,200 to 3,000 IU/d of vitamin D from all sources, including ultraviolet light exposure, food, and supplements.20,51,52Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine for vitamin D supplementation suggest 200 IU of vitamin D daily from birth through age 50 years, 400 IU/d for individuals age 51 to 70 years, and 600 IU/d for those age 70 years or older.53These recommendations presume some sun exposure and vitamin D intake from food and are not adequate to treat vitamin D deficiency.54,55Historically, the source of most vitamin D has been ultraviolet light–induced skin manufacture of cholecalciferol. A single whole-body dose of ultraviolet radiation associated with minimal erythema produces 10,000 IU of vitamin D.55Thus, 15 to 20 minutes of daily sun exposure without sunscreen in lower midwestern and southern latitudes between 10:00 amand 3:00 pmis usually sufficient to ensure adequate synthesis of vitamin D metabolites. Large excesses of vitamin D3 from prolonged sun exposure are destroyed in the skin, making vitamin D toxicity from sun exposure improbable.54,55In contrast, with the exception of coldwater ocean fish, food is a poor source of vitamin D.54Three ounces of herring, which few individuals eat, provides 1,300 IU of vitamin D, 3.5 oz of the more commonly ingested salmon provides 350 IU, and 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil provides approximately 400 IU. However, the amount of vitamin D in 1 cup of fortified milk or orange juice is only 100 IU, with 50-100 IU per cup of breakfast cereal or tablespoon of margarine.54,56,57Today, with more time spent indoors and increased use of sunscreen, higher basal intakes of 1,000 to 2,000 IU/d from supplements are recommended to avoid vitamin D deficiency.23,58–60Multiple vitamins generally contain 400 IU of vitamin D, and calcium supplements provide 200 to 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D3 supplements without other additives are readily available over the counter in 400, 1,000, and 2,000 IU strengths at pharmacies and most grocery stores. These supplements are much smaller in size than pills containing calcium and vitamin D and generally cost $10 or less for a 3-month supply. At similar doses, vitamin D3 may be more potent than vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is obtained from plants.61The Institute of Medicine lists 2,000 IU/d as the upper tolerable limit, but in fact, there is little evidence of toxicity unless doses of 10,000 IU of vitamin D3/d are exceeded.53,62
What is the role of vitamin D in the body?
Vitamin D plays an important role in the homeostasis of a variety of organ systems, but its role in prevention of cancer and recurrence—along with necessary blood levels —has yet to be defined.
Why is vitamin D important?
Vitamin D is important in a number of physiologic processes, including calcium absorption, innate and adaptive immunity, and homeostasis of a number of organs. Chronic vitamin D deficiency in adults results in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, muscle weakness, and increased risk of falls.1–4Poor vitamin D intake and low blood levels of vitamin D metabolites are associated with increased incidence and severity of several autoimmune diseases involving the T helper type 1 lymphocyte,5,6including multiple sclerosis,7rheumatoid arthritis,8type I diabetes,9systemic lupus erythematosis,10and psoriasis.11,12Lower levels of vitamin D, adjusted for body mass index, are also associated with increased risk of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and death as a result of cardiovascular disease.13–16
What does a U mean in ASCO disclosure declaration?
Certain relationships marked with a “U” are those for which no compensation was received ; those relationships marked with a “C” were compensated. For a detailed description of the disclosure categories, or for more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to the Author Disclosure Declaration and the Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest section in Information for Contributors.
What does a high level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D mean?
A high level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D usually reflects excess supplementation from vitamin pills or other nutritional supplements.
What does it mean when your vitamin D levels are low?
A low blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D may mean that a person is not getting enough exposure to sunlight or enough dietary vitamin D to meet his or her body’s demand or that there is a problem with its absorption from the intestines. Occasionally, drugs used to treat seizures, particularly phenytoin (Dilantin), can interfere with the production of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver.
What is the purpose of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a family of compounds that is essential for the proper growth and formation of teeth and bones.
Where does vitamin D come from?
Vitamin D comes from two sources: endogenous, which is produced in the skin on exposure to sunlight, and exogenous, which is ingested in foods and supplements. The chemical structures of the types of vitamin D are slightly different, and they are named vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol, which comes from plants) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, which comes from animals). The D 2 form is found in fortified foods and in most vitamin preparations and supplements. Vitamin D 3 is the form produced in the body and is also used in some supplements. Vitamin D 2 and D 3 are equally effective when they are converted by the liver and the kidney into the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
Can magnesium cause low calcium?
If magnesium levels are low, they can cause a low calcium level that is resistant to vitamin D and parathyroid hormone regulation. It may be necessary to supplement both magnesium and calcium to regain normal function.