Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Lacking in vitamin D can lead to some very serious health problems, so it is important to recognize vitamin D deficiency symptoms. This substance helps the bones use calcium and is naturally produced in the body as it responds to sunlight. The vitamin is also found in some foods such as egg yolks, fish and fish liver oils as well as in some fortified dairy and grain products. It may also play a role in preventing and treating many serious ailments like hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and type 1 and type 2 diabetes although this possibility is still unclear. Symptoms pointing to a lack of this vitamin can be blatant or subtle as they take the form of muscle weakness and pain in the bones.

There are several vitamin D deficiency causes including not consuming enough of the vitamin over time, limited exposure to sunlight, darker skin in older people, kidneys unable to convert this vitamin to an active form, inability of the digestive tract to absorb the vitamin and obesity. The amount of this vitamin can be measured in the blood when in its active form. Those having a lower level than 30 nanograms per milliliter should discuss treatment options with a doctor.

Vitamin D deficiency treatment can be as simple as getting more of the substance through healthy eating, supplements or spending more time in the sun. The recommended daily allowance is around 5-10 mcg. People can find it easily available in supplements like capsules or liquids to prevent deficiency. They are sometimes found together with calcium supplements but are also available as stand-alone supplements. Supplements typically contain between 10 to 30 micrograms per dose a day.

It is also possible to get too much of the substance. Getting a skin rash or sunburn without sun exposure is a signal that one has perhaps consumed too much. Those who suffer from afflictions such as hyperparathyroidism, lymphoma, sarcoidosis or tuberculosis should consult with a doctor before taking any supplements since they can release too much calcium into the bloodstream.