Health & Wellness

Symptoms & Diseases Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency
Frank LipmanSeptember 15

Sunshine

It is estimated that anywhere from 30 to 100% of Americans, depending upon their age and community living environments, are deficient in Vitamin D. More than half of all American children are vitamin deficient. Supposedly almost 3/4s of pregnant women are vitamin D deficient, predisposing their unborn children to all sorts of problems. Worldwide, it is estimated that the epidemic of vitamin D deficiency affects one billion people. In my practice over 80% of patients whose vitamin D levels I check are deficient.

No one is exactly sure why this is happening apart from the fact that we spend too much time indoors and when we go out into the sun, we lather sunscreen on ourselves. I think it must be more than that. But whatever the reason, the reality is we have a major epidemic on our hands.

How much vitamin D do I need?

How much vitamin D you need varies with age, body weight, percent of body fat, latitude, skin coloration, season of the year, use of sun block, individual variation in sun exposure, and – probably – how ill you are.

As a general rule, old people need more than young people, big people need more that little people, fat people need more than skinny people, northern people need more than southern people, dark-skinned people need more than fair skinned people, winter people need more than summer people, sun block lovers need more than sun block haters, sun-phobes need more than sun worshipers, and ill people may need more than well people.

What I and many of my colleagues around the country are finding is that even people spending what we thought was adequate amount of time in the sun, are still showing up with low blood vitamin D levels. I am not sure why at this stage but there is an easy and cheap solution…vitamin D supplementation.

Here are some guidelines:

  • If your blood level is above 45ng/ml and for maintenance, I recommend 2,000-4,000 IU daily depending on age, weight, season, how much time is spent outdoors, where one lives, skin color and obviously blood levels. In other words if you are older, larger, living in the northern latitudes during the winter, are not getting sun and have dark skin, I recommend the higher maintenance dose.
  • If your blood level is 35-45 ng/ml, I recommend you correct it with 5,000 of vitamin D3 a day for 3 months under a doctor’s supervision and then recheck your blood levels.
  • If your blood level is less than 35 ng/ml, I recommend you correct it with 10,000 of vitamin D3 a day under a doctor’s supervision and then recheck your blood levels after 3 months. It takes a good 6 months usually to optimize your vitamin D levels if you’re deficient. Once this occurs, you can lower the dose to the maintenance dose of 2,000 – 4,000 IU a day.

What are the symptoms of vit D deficiency?

There is no clear pattern of symptoms. In fact many people remain asymptomatic despite low levels. But here are the more common symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • General muscle pain and weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Chronic pain
  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • Restless sleep
  • Poor concentration
  • Headaches
  • Bladder problems
  • Constipation or diarrhea

What diseases are associated with Vit D deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to play a role in almost every major disease. This includes:

  • Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
  • 17 varieties of Cancer (including breast, prostate and colon)
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Gout
  • Infertility and PMS
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Pain
  • Periodontal disease
  • Psoriasis

What about vitamin D toxicity?

It is impossible to generate too much vitamin D in your body from sunlight exposure: your body will self-regulate and only generate what it needs. Although very rare, it is possible to overdose and become toxic with supplementation as vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and therefore stored in the body for longer periods of time. Therefore if you are taking 5,000 IU or more daily, you should have your blood levels monitored approximately every 3 months.

What blood test should I have to check my vitamin D levels?

The only blood test that can diagnose vitamin D deficiency is a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25 OH vitamin D). Unfortunately, some doctors are still ordering the wrong test, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D. In fact a common cause of high 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D is a low 25(OH)D or vitamin D deficiency. So when doctors see the 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D is normal or high and tell their patients that they are OK, they are often vitamin D deficient.
Your doctor should do this test for you. Unfortunately even some of the labs, in particular Qwest, have had problems with correct results, usually giving erroneously high results.

If you don’t want to go through your doctor, the ZRT lab does a blood spot test that you can order without going through a doctor.

What is the ideal blood level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D?

The current ranges for “normal” are 20 to 55 ng/ml. These are much too low!!! They may be fine if you want to prevent rickets or osteomalacia, but not for optimal health. The ideal range for optimal health is 50-80 ng/ml.

How often should I have a 25 hydroxy vitamin D blood test?

At least once a year especially at the beginning of winter. If you are supplementing, I suggest you monitor your vitamin D levels approximately every 3months until you are in the optimal range. If you are taking high doses (10,000 IU a day) your doctor must also check your calcium, phosphorous, and parathyroid hormone levels every 3 months.

Tags: ,
  • Name

    dangerously incorrect

  • Name

    dangerously incorrect data regarding vit d forms and health

  • Name

    dangerously incorrect

  • Name

    dangerously incorrect data regarding vit d forms and health

  • June Ross

    Expand on your notion please.

  • kkh

    why is this dangerously incorrect – I have a deficiency and was subscribed 50,000 units a week by my physician for 6 weeks. – have done this twice and levels have come up somewhat but not enough.

  • Splashy8

    I checked on the price for testing, and find that $75 each time is too much for me to manage. So, I guess I'll just have to wing it by getting a bit of sun and supplementing at the lower doses.

  • Frances Melling

    Thank you for this. I know instinctively that the sun is a blessing for me. I live near the Mediterranean and love it.
    Your 'medical' information cheers me up.

  • friend of the sun

    I too have had my vitamin d test done, and i was dangerously low. symptoms, included severe pain in my bones, a deep achy feeling. Have been in the sun for over a year now, with vitamin d supplements, no where near where I need to be yet… but i will say the pain and weight has lessened considerably. The weight loss by the way was done only by upping my vitamin d levels. I am really tired of all the hype about the sun. it is really a gimmick for sunblock. seriously. and I am pissed that i listened in the first place. i do not advocate laying in the sun basting yourself, but getting out into the sun, the life blood along with water. that is all we really need to do.

  • Shes_jetlagd

    Honestly, IF you had an opinion or thought that was actually valid you'd provide evidence for your comments and even put a name to your statements…

  • Racheal

    “Name” sounds like an ill informed sheep. “Name” must be getting their info from mainstream media. “Name”, you just keep drinking the cool-aid.

  • Antoniolsoares

    Acredito que um pouco de sol, sem protecção, às primeiras horas do dia, podem ser muito vantajosas em termos de saúde. Vejam esta opinião…

  • Tlmorehead

    Wow! I HAVE MS. I had my levels checked- 23. 23!!! My internist said the same thing as you're saying; Go in the sun about 20-30 minutes about 2 to 3 times a week,
    he suggested around 9/10 am- so I won't get overheated. Heat + MS= is NO bueno for me! I'm also using Vit D3 supplements. Currently I'm taking 10,000iu and will have another blood test in a month.
    I'm passing this link to the MS website I frequent- http://www.patientslkeme.com

    Thanks for the info.

  • GoLeanNGreen

    Here is a new Quiz to see how much Vitamin D3 you need: http://goleanngreen.blogspot.com/2010/08/take-v…

  • Mm Pyle

    I have been on 50,000 units per day, tested, and My Vitamin D level was still low. Dr. said obviously my body was not assimilating my suopplements. Any Ideas?

  • http://www.franklipman.com franklipman

    Are you taking Magnesium, Zinc and Vit K2 as these are co factors
    needed in vitamin D absorbtion and a deficiency in those may be the
    problem

  • suartel

    My level was 15 & I was also given a prescription of 50,000 IU's a day for 30 days. How much Mag, Zinc & K2 would be good if you are taking this much?

  • Azyourlily

    I have a question; My endocrinologist has had me on 50,000IU's a week (one pill each week) for three months. I've done that for 9months now. Every 4months I go for more blood tests & my vitamin D continues to decline. At this point my last number was “12.” She told me that because I am overweight and have some belly/midsection fat it is causing the lack of absorption of the vitamin D. Is there any truth to that theory? Because at this point, my own pharmacist is concerned that I continue taking such large doses.
    Knowing that I have midsection fat, why am I wasting my money on the pills and why is she continuing to prescribe it, if she knows that my body won't absorb it, due to the fat issue. When I asked her-she dodged the question three times.
    I am overweight due to almost 10yrs of being told that I have Lupus and the doctors prescribing 17pills, including steroids, for pain etc. Now, I'm told I don't have Lupus or Fibromyalgia at all, that it's likely my vitamin D deficiency causing all the issues. I have put myself on a raw diet for the last 6weeks and have lost 10, very stubborn pounds. We have tried everything to help me lose weight with no luck so there is an array of other issues going on here but I'm most concerned about the vitamin D struggle right now. If it's absorbed through the skin, will midsection fat block absorption of the pills? I am increasing my sun time…something I used to love but in the last 10yrs has come to a halt because of the Lupus-something I was told I needed to avoid like the plague!

  • gary

    i am 50 yrs old and i have all sorts of problems for years .It started with anxity at 30 yrs old im now 50.to depretion high triglicerides gout muscle and bone pain and eye problems.at the end pancreatitis.im now take ing 50,000 units of D3 its helped.my question is how long could i have been low . my reading was 25

  • Febfeb5

    I have been on the 50,000 vit D once a week for nearly 3 years, my numbers have never went above 28. I too have had a lupus diagnosis that they believe is wrong now, I have consistent facial flushing especially after haveing sugary foods, had every diabetes test under sun not diabetic, cannot lose weight, head keeps burning , pvcs, dizzinesss, horrible muscle/bone pain occassional rashes, chills,,, any ideas??

  • JST Books

    The best time to take magnesium supplement is in the morning and before going to sleep.

  • Hamrick4

    Where are you getting your information?  If you aren't a DR and a DR didn't tell you this, I suggest you SHUT IT!!!

  • http://www.thelowbloodsugarsymptoms.com low blood sugar symptoms

    Hi,

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  • http://www.thelowbloodsugarsymptoms.com low blood sugar symptoms

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  • michelle

    Vitamin D does not cause many of the diseases listed. They are a result of the body’s inability to process D correctly. It is vitamin D hypervitaminosis. D 25 will be low or low normal and vitamin D 1,25 will be high. This is the case for many autuoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases. If you just have a simple D 25 deficiency, it’s not that bad and supplementation and sun is good for you. If you have D hypervitaminosis, D supplementation is very bad and can cause worse symptoms! Check both forms of D and educate yourself and your doctor what this means!!!!

  • stormey

    maybe your thyroid    That was my problem

  • Andrews Karen14

    Can taking 50,000 Vit D weekly cause low blood sugar?

  • http://twitter.com/apluralist Rob Williams

    Your internist is ignorant. Your body cannot generate D at 9 am. UVA rays only are available in the middle of the day. During standard time that would be 10-3, on dst, 11-4.