Low Vitamin D Symptoms

Vitamin D Deficiency Signs

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble steroids that plays an important role in the absorption and metabolism of calcium in our body. There are five forms of vitamin D namely vitamin D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 of which, vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) are essential for human beings. While vitamin D2 is synthesized by lower species such as fungi in response to ultraviolet light, vitamin D3 is produced by the human body when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The main functions of vitamin D are mentioned below.

- Absorbs calcium and phosphorus from food we eat

- Regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood

- Encourages bone growth

- Improves muscle function

- Controls neuromuscular function

- Boosts the immune system

- Helps to reduce the risk of many diseases like cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis

 

Vitamin D is therefore one of the most important requirements in our daily diet that helps to ensure optimal health. As such, low levels of vitamin D can badly affect the health, increasing the chances of various health problems, including certain types of cancer, heart diseases, asthma, etc. Although many people suffer from low levels of vitamin D, it is often not diagnosed in the early stages. In majority of the cases, this condition is diagnosed when it gets worse and reversing it at that stage becomes very difficult. In fact, the deficiency of vitamin D is considered to be one of the most underestimated health problems around the world.

Low vitamin D symptoms can vary from mild to severe symptoms depends on the degree of deficiency. Mild deficiency can lead to symptoms such as

- Loss of appetite

- Diarrhea

- Weight loss

- Burning sensation in the mouth and throat

- Vision problems

- Improper sleep

If the vitamin D deficiency is severe, it can cause symptoms such as

- Musculoskeletal pain, which is excruciating pain in the limbs

- Fatigue

- Muscle pain

- Hearing loss

- Depression

- Poor immunity, which increases the risk of contracting diseases

- Low absorption of calcium leading to weakening of the bones

- Dental problems, including periodontal diseases due to low level of calcium

- Loss of calcium and phosphate in the stool

- Osteomalacia in adults, leading to bone weakness and pain

- Rickets in children, where the bones of the legs become soft causing the legs to become curvy

- Children are also prone to develop seizures, breathing problems, heart problems, muscle cramps, irritability and depression

- Delayed formation of tooth

- Poor growth in children

- Multiple sclerosis, causing symptoms like fatigue, weakness, tremor, speech difficulties, dizziness, constipation, numbness and swollen ankles

- Hyperparathyroidism which produces symptoms like bone pain, loin pain, arthritis, polyuria, excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, depression, dementia and psychosis

- Osteoporosis in women, characterized by reduction in the bone mineral density and increase in bone fragility

Low vitamin D levels can pose a threat to the health of an individual. Therefore, it is always a good idea to prevent the occurrence of low vitamin D symptoms by including sources of vitamin D in your diet. Food items that contain vitamin D include dairy products, eggs, fatty fish, beef liver, etc. Dietary supplements can also be taken which are available in the form of tablets, liquid medication and injection.