Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that maintains healthy bones and prevents the body from various diseases. Muscle weakness is one of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, as are discomfort and sadness, among other things. You should eat healthy and nutritious meals or foods fortified with vitamins and get at least 15 minutes of morning sun to ensure your body is getting enough vitamin D. You may also use an at-home vitamin D test to evaluate your vitamin D levels and make lifestyle adjustments based on the results.
What Is Vitamin D Deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is characterised by insufficient vitamin D in body tissues. Vitamin D is quite an unusual vitamin as your skin mostly produces it through exposure to the sun. Light-skinned people and those under the age of 50 convert sunlight into vitamin D significantly faster than dark-skinned people and those over the age of 50.
Vitamin D Deficiency Signs and Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults include:
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Tiredness
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Gaining weight
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Bone pain
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Muscles that feel very weakened
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Muscle pains and cramps
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Sudden mood swings
Many symptoms caused by vitamin D deficiency occur naturally and can also be signals of a variety of other health conditions. If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your healthcare professional first. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the healthcare specialist can recommend a blood test at a clinic or at-home vitamin D test. You may also be interested in determining your vitamin D levels for peace of mind, which is also highly encouraged. The good news is, you can do it quickly and easily with a home vitamin D test.
Low vitamin D levels in children can cause rickets, a condition characterised by softening and weakening of the bones. Crooked legs, thick wrists or ankles, and a prominent breastbone are some of the skeletal abnormalities that can result. Other rickets symptoms include:
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Delays in physical development and growth
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Motor abilities that are delayed
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Muscle weakness in general
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Legs, pelvic, and spine discomfort
How Is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed?
Your doctor may prescribe a blood test, or you can perform an at-home vitamin D test to check your vitamin D levels. There are two types of tests, but the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, often known as 25(OH)D, is the most common one. To perform the blood test, a healthcare professional uses a small needle to draw blood from a vein, whereas the home test relies on finger-prick blood samples. It is important to mention that you do not have to prepare in any way for this type of test.
What Is the Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency?
The objective of treatment and prevention is the same: to acquire and maintain an adequate vitamin D level in the body. You should always aim to consume more vitamin D-rich foods and get some sunlight daily as a part of a healthy lifestyle. In case of low level of this vitamin you may be encouraged to take vitamin D supplements.
There are two kinds of vitamin D that can be obtained from food: D2 and D3. Plants generate D2, also known as ergocalciferol. Animals generate D3, also known as cholecalciferol. D2 can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. D3, on the other hand, can be acquired without a prescription. When compared to D2, it is more easily absorbed and has a longer half-life in the body. Speak with your doctor about your requirements to determine if you need a vitamin supplement and how much vitamin supplement to take.
Final Words
Obtaining and maintaining an appropriate amount of vitamin D in the body are the objectives of prevention and therapy for vitamin D deficiency. Your healthcare practitioner will advise you whether you need to start taking vitamin D supplements or if you should make changes in your diet in accordance with vitamin D level in your body. Remember, it is easier to prevent than live with vitamin D deficiency symptoms.
