10 Common Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms that Most People Ignore
Low Vitamin D used to be just an aging problem. But Vitamin D deficiency has turned into a global health problem, affecting both children and adults. Sure, you may be making healthy choices now that you have reached midlife. You may be eating right, hitting the gym several times each week, getting an adequate amount of sleep, and slathering on your favorite sunscreen before stepping outdoors. But are you really certain that you have adequate Vitamin D levels in your body and that you're not suffering from unrecognized symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency?
Even though it's important enough to have its own ICD code (see below) [1], the importance of vitamin D is being downplayed by many people who have yet to understand that this essential vitamin plays an important role in the overall health of the body. If your body lacks vitamin D, it can be the start of a host of health conditions, ranging from fragile bones, skeletal deformities, to increased risk of fractures and injuries. Worse, the Vitamin D deficiency signs are commonly ignored, which often leads to more serious conditions.
Here's what we found to be the 10 most common Vitamin D deficiency symptoms that are often being ignored:
#1 - Aching Bones
Have you been experiencing chronic aches and pains but cannot recall doing any joint-busting movements? You could be suffering from osteomalacia, a condition where your bones become softer. It's one of the most common signs of Vitamin D deficiency. In a study conducted in Minneapolis by the Allina Center for Health Care Innovations, 150 people who visited a health clinic with complaints of chronic pain were tested for their D levels. Among the patients, 93% were diagnosed with extremely low vitamin D.[2] Low D levels can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.[3]
#2 - Muscle Weakness
If you are not an athlete, then you could be wondering why you are experiencing muscle weakness. What you are likely not aware of is that most muscle weakness conditions are among the low Vitamin D symptoms most commonly overlooked. A person with Vitamin Deficiency symptoms will have muscle function issues, according to the National Institutes of Health. [4] Likewise, Harvard researchers discovered that low D levels in people over 60 often could result in muscle weakness. The Western Journal of Medicine states that this Vitamin D3 deficiency can be easily resolved by daily taking the recommended dose of Vitamin D. [5]
#3 - Gut Problems
It's normal to suffer from occasional stomach troubles, especially after bingeing on your favorite takeout. But, if you're classified with an ICD 10 Vitamin D deficiency (see below)[1], your tummy problem may actually be something else. Gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease have been recognized as among the symptoms of low Vitamin D. One approach to this issue is proper supplement therapy. But, you should seek medical advice to avoid the symptoms of too much Vitamin D, which include poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, frequent urination, and kidney problems. [6] Sit down with your doctor and have them advise you on the correct dose of Vitamin D for your particular situation so that you can avoid Vitamin D toxicity symptoms.
#4 - Hypertension
Lack of Vitamin D symptoms also include hypertension, or elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is the culprit of a range of health issues. Most of the time, it is never connected to Vitamin D deficiency. While there are several reasons why hypertension develops, it can also occur when the levels of vitamin D in your body are low. Our body produces a peptide that increases blood pressure by means of arterial restriction and water retention. Vitamin D regulates this increase and normalizes the body's blood pressure levels. According to a study conducted by the Harvard University, women with low D levels have a 67% increased risk of hypertension. [7]
#5 - Hair Loss
As if losing your hair is not bad enough, studies show that Vitamin D and hair loss are linked to each other. In various studies, it was found that hair loss is linked to low Vitamin D levels [8], [9], [10], [11]. One of the more severe signs of low Vitamin D, hair loss is also associated with rickets, a condition in children that causes soft bones due to a deficiency in this essential vitamin. [12] In 2013, the Vitamin D Council reported that Vitamin D hair loss is a common occurrence in up to 30% of young women. The publication cited a study showing that with increased hair loss and disease severity, there was a decrease in Vitamin D levels. [13]
#6 - Acne
Who would have thought that this very common problem can be treated with Vitamin D? This symptom of a deficiency in Vitamin D, acne has been found to be linked with low levels of the sunshine vitamin. Several studies done in various countries likewise showed a relationship between acne and Vitamin D. This research reveals that if you have acne, you're more likely to have lower D levels than people with no acne. One of the studies also tested 79 people with acne to find out if Vitamin D supplementation can reduce acne. The results showed that the number of inflammatory pimples decreased on average by 35% after two months of Vitamin D supplementation.[14]
#7 - Impared Immune System
The importance of Vitamin D is such that without it, you could have a malfunctioning immune system. This is another often-overlooked symptom of low D levels. The immune cells in the body feed on Vitamin D, so if there is a deficiency, an immunity imbalance occurs. When the level of Vitamin D in your body goes down, it can cause your immune system to become unstable. In a recent study, it was discovered that individuals who were diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder were also found to be deficient in the D Vitamin.[15]
#8 - Excessive Sweating
This is regarded by some as the most peculiar symptom of Vitamin D deficiency. Also referred to as sweaty head, excessive sweating, especially in your forehead area, has been linked to low D levels. Experts have observed common occurrence with sweating and low levels of vitamin D [15], but they have yet to establish the connected relationship between the two. Excessive sweating on the forehead is a usual occurrence in newborns, but it has also been observed to occur in adults.
#9 - Feeling of Sadness or Mood Swings
Do you feel the blues and can't pinpoint an exact reason as to why? It's likely that you need to get out into the sun more in order to increase your levels of Vitamin D. A brain hormone in our system called serotonin, which is responsible for elevating our mood, is stimulated depending on the amount of vitamin D that our body gets. According to the Vitamin D Council, the brain needs Vitamin D to produce serotonin. [16]
#10 - Fatigue
Fatigue is another Vitamin D deficiency symptom that many people immediately dismiss as nothing serious. However, studies have found a connection between chronic fatigue syndrome and low D levels. One study stated that Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is seen as the most frequent reason for chronic fatigue. [17] Another study reported that there is a high prevalence of low vitamin D in patients who suffer from fatigue. [18]
Correcting Your Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is an very common condition and most people are not even aware that they have the symptoms. This is because most of the symptoms are non-specific, subtle, and can be caused by other conditions aside from Vitamin D deficiency. The good news is, if you have any of these symptoms that result from a Vitamin D deficiency, they're easy to address. The simplest methods of increasing your D levels is by going outdoors and soaking up the sun, eating foods that are rich in vitamin D, and taking a a quality D supplement.
There are many vitamin D supplements out there in the market today. To help you avoid going through the confusion associated with selecting a Vitamin D supplement, here are important factors you should consider. One is to choose a Vitamin D3 supplement. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has been found to be substantially more effective than Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and it is also more natural and easier for absorption in the body. Also, Vitamin D3 is safer since the body does not allow the circulation of large concentrations of D3 in the bloodstream as it does with vitamin D2.[19]
One dietary supplement that answers daily vitamin D needs is Vitamin D3 Liquid from MaxX Labs. Combined with Vitamin K2 MK7, Vitamin D3 Liquid delivers 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 per dose, which is 4 to 5 times stronger than other brands. This hypoallergenic supplement is formulated using no preservatives, additives, colors, gluten, and other harmful components. And because it is in liquid form, it works faster, helping your body to avoid health issues related to Vitamin D deficiency.
When it comes to your health, you should take no chances. If you think you have even one of the above-mentioned symptoms, consult with your doctor and have your D levels evaluated. The sooner you fix your Vitamin D deficiency, the better your chances are at avoiding serious and chronic health conditions. Get your D levels in order and you'll feel a lot better both physically and emotionally.
What is an ICD Code?
Vitamin Deficiency is becoming so pronounced that it even has its own code in The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10), a clinical cataloging system that provides an ICD 10 Code for Vitamin D deficiency. The ICD is basically a set of codes that the American healthcare system uses to report diagnoses and in-patient procedures. Among these is ICD-10-CM Code E56.9, a "billable ICD code used to specify a Vit D deficiency, unspecified".[1] Together with the information provided in the ICD-10 Codes for vitamin D are the various symptoms associated with the lack of Vitamin D.
References:
[1] https://icd.codes/icd10cm/E569 [2] http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-signs-people-miss/ [3] http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/vitamin-d3 [4] http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-signs-people-miss/ [5] http://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/7-signs-vitamin-d-deficiency-not-ignore/ [6] http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-d-toxicity/faq-20058108 [7] http://www.healthyway.com/content/symptoms-of-vitamin-d-deficiency-that-most-people-ignore?loc=8 [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24655364 [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23428658 [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25058999 [11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24194967 [12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21693169 [13] https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/is-there-a-link-between-vitamin-d-and-female-hair-loss/ [14] https://www.acneeinstein.com/vitamin-d-for-acne/ [15] https://www.powerofpositivity.com/7-signs-of-a-vitamin-d-deficiency/ [16] https://www.powerofpositivity.com/7-signs-of-a-vitamin-d-deficiency/ [17] https://iacfsme.org/PDFS/Attachment-E-Annedore-Hoeck,-Vitamin-D.aspx [18] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158648/ [19] http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/vitamin-d3