Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency In Your Body

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays vital role for maintaining your overall health. When you have adequate vitamin D in the body, it can keep the bones strong, improve mental health, and help you get sound sleep. Many individuals suffer from low vitamin D these days due to long working hours. People with low vitamin D levels suffer from fatigue, depression, and bone-related issues.

Other possible symptoms of inadequate vitamin D include frequent infections, hair fall, slow healing of wounds. Severe deficiency of the essential vitamin can also reduce bone density and cause fractures in extreme cases. 

Signs Of Low Vitamin D

According to NHS UK, “Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.” Below are some signs of low vitamin D in the body:

1. Constant Fatigue: You will constantly experience fatigue that will not go away no matter how much you rest. The crucial vitamin helps the body’s cells produce energy and when vitamin D is inadequate, fatigue can come and leave you exhausted. 

2. Frequent Muscle Pain, Weakness: Vitamin D plays the vital role of absorbing calcium that can regulate the muscle contractions. When there is deficiency of the vitamin, it may cause muscle ache, decreased strength, and cramps. If you experience constant unexplained muscle discomfort, it is vital to get your vitamin D levels checked.

3. Frequent Illness: If you are falling unwell frequently without any apparent reasons, it is possible that you have low vitamin D levels. Insufficient vitamin D can unleash detrimental impact on the immune system. Low vitamin D levels lead to increased susceptibility to infections especially the respiratory tract infections and higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases. 

4. Depression: Inadequate levels of the sunshine vitamin is frequently linked to increased rate of depression with deficiencies leading to mood disorders and mood swings. It acts as a neurosteroid that can influence the brain functioning including serotonin synthesis. Adequate vitamin D also elevates serotonin levels in the brain. 

5. Frequent Backache or Bone Issues: Low levels of vitamin D can impact the entire bone health of the body. Insufficient vitamin D can lead to decreased bone density that can lead to a condition namely ostemalacia. Weak bones can trigger unexplained backache or in extreme cause fractures. Vitamin D helps in absorbing calcium and essential for sound bone health.  

6. Weight Gain: If you grapple with shedding weight despite maintaining active lifestyle followed by healthy eating habits, low levels of vitamin D may be responsible behind it, according to a study conducted by National Library of Medicine. Low levels of the vitamin is linked with increased fat accumulation especially around waist area. Obese individuals may have lesser levels of vitamin D in their blood as it can get trapped in the adipose tissue. Deficiency of vitamin D can cause increased fat mass and higher levels of parathyroid hormone, that may increase weight.

7. Hair Fall:  When an individual experience severe vitamin D deficiency, it can lead to alopecia, an autoimmune condition that can cause patchy hair loss. Adequate levels of vitamin D can support hair follicle health and insufficient levels may bring down new hair growth.    

8. Slow Wound Healing: This is yet another sign of low vitamin D levels in the body. If wounds and cuts take longer to heal, lack of vitamin D is to be blamed as it aids in producing compounds necessary for the formation of new skin. Slow healing of wounds also reflects a deficiency that can impact body’s natural recovery process.  

9. High Blood Pressure: There is a vital connection between inadequate vitamin D and high blood pressure. The vitamin functions in regulating the blood vessel relaxation and insufficient levels may lead to hypertension.  

10. Weaker Teeth: Adequate presence of calcium in the body can make bones and teeth strong. Deficiency of vitamin D can restrict calcium absorption that can weaken the teeth and pose higher risk of cavities and tooth decay. It can also lead to gum inflammation and subsequently periodontitis. 

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.