What Are Symptoms Of Low Vitamin D?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Fatigue.
  • Bone pain.
  • Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps.
  • Mood changes, like depression.

What causes vitamin D to drop?

What causes a D deficiency? A deficiency in vitamin D can result from

inadequate exposure to sunlight

, inefficient production in the skin, not enough vitamin D in your diet, and health conditions that can affect it including, gastrointestinal disorders, renal diseases, and liver diseases.

Can lack of vitamin D cause weight gain?

Vitamin D deficiency can

indirectly cause weight gain

by increasing depression, instigating bone mass loss, and causing tiredness or fatigue.

How long does it take to correct a vitamin D deficiency?

Simply adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just

three to four months' time

. Vitamin D with a strength of 2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults.

What happens when your vitamin D is low?

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.

Does low vitamin D make you tired?

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.

How can I test my vitamin D at home?

An Everlywell vitamin D test involves a person

taking a finger-prick blood sample

. Results will show whether a person's vitamin D levels are elevated, adequate, or suboptimal. A person needs to create an Everlywell account to register their test kits and check their results.

Does vitamin D affect sleep?

Taking It Late in the Day May Affect Sleep

Research links vitamin

D levels to sleep quality

. In fact, several studies associate low levels of vitamin D in your blood to a higher risk of sleep disturbances, poorer sleep quality and reduced sleep duration ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).

Does stress deplete vitamin D?

The stress hormone cortisol quickly depletes vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that needs to be replenished daily. Vitamin D: This vitamin is freely available when you expose your bare skin to sunlight, but

it can quickly become depleted when stress keeps you indoors

.

What is normal vitamin D level?

The normal range of vitamin D is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Many experts recommend a level

between 20 and 40 ng/mL

. Others recommend a level between 30 and 50 ng/mL.

Does vitamin D reduce belly fat?

3 You'll burn more fat—especially belly fat.

Vitamin D can help you lose lard all over

, but it's particularly helpful for the pounds above your belt. Studies at the University of Minnesota and Laval University found that D triggers weight loss primarily in the belly.

Does vitamin D make you poop?

Vitamin D

These findings

do not suggest that increasing vitamin D will relieve constipation

, however, as the low vitamin D levels may be a consequence of chronic constipation. Some people take vitamin D supplements, especially if they live in northern countries since sunshine is a vital source of vitamin D.

Is vitamin D linked to depression?

Studies have shown

a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression

. Researchers behind a 2013 meta-analysis noticed that study participants with depression also had low vitamin D levels. The same analysis found that, statistically, people with low vitamin D were at a much greater risk of depression.

How can I raise my vitamin D levels quickly?

  1. Cod liver oil*
  2. Trout*
  3. Salmon*
  4. Mushrooms*
  5. Fortified dairy and non-dairy milks.
  6. Fortified cereals.
  7. Sardines.
  8. Eggs.

Is 2000 IU of vitamin D safe?

Nearly all vitamin D overdoses come from supplements. The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board's old 1997 recommendations suggested that

2,000 IU per day of vitamin D is safe for adults

and that 1,000 IU per day is safe for infants up to 12 months of age.

How long does it take to get your vitamin D levels up?

Therefore, it may take

up to 2 to 3 months

to bring levels of vitamin D up, depending on how deficient you are. Yet, the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D in the United States is 600 IUs for adults up to age 70 and 800 IUs after age 70.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.