Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms & Risks
Did you know? Nearly 490 million people in India suffer from Vitamin D deficiency!1 Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient essential for the healthy functioning of your bones, muscles, and other vital systems. And a lack of it can lead to serious health concerns. But the good news is, if diagnosed early, it’s both manageable and treatable.2
In this blog, we’ll uncover the vital roles of Vitamin D, the symptoms of its deficiency and how you can get a timely diagnosis.
So, let’s dive in.
Essential Functions of Vitamin D in Your Body
Vitamin D is critical for the healthy functioning of several bodily functions. These include maintaining:2
- Healthy Bones & Muscles
- Optimal Parathyroid Gland Function (responsible for maintaining calcium balance)
- Nervous System
- Immune Function
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
The signs of vitamin D deficiency might vary in children and adults.
In children, it can cause:2
- Bow shaped legs
- Incorrect growth patterns
- Muscle weakness
- Bone pain
- Joint deformities
- Muscle soreness
In adults, the signs include:2
- Tiredness
- Bone pain
- Muscle weakness or muscle cramps
- Mood disorders such as depression
Risks & Complications of Vitamin D Deficiency
The risks of vitamin D deficiency are higher in babies and adults over 65. And also for those who aren’t able to step out much due to disabilities. Additionally, dark skinned people are also at a higher risk of being deficient as their skin is unable to make vitamin D as well as their lighter-skinned counterparts.2
The complications of a vitamin D deficiency include:
1. Hypocalcemia
Low level of calcium in the blood which if left untreated, can cause life-threatening complications like seizures and heart failure.3
2. Hypophosphatemia
Low blood phosphate levels, which can also turn life-threatening under severe conditions.4
3. Rickets
Rickets is a condition in which your child’s bones become soft and weak and do not develop properly. It’s not only painful but also makes their bones vulnerable to easy breakage.5
4. Osteomalacia
This is similar to rickets and also happens due to a vitamin D deficiency. The only difference is that it’s more common among adults.6
How To Diagnose Vitamin D Deficiency?
The best way to diagnose a Vitamin D deficiency is to get a blood test done.2 You can opt for LifeCell’s Vitamin D + B12 Combo that checks both these crucial vitamin levels in your body. You can get it done right from your home and get results as soon as within 10 hours.
With the help of a timely diagnosis, and under the guidance of your doctor, you can take corrective measures and improve your vitamin levels before any serious damage.
How Can You Treat A Vitamin D Deficiency?
The best way to address a deficiency of vitamin D is to start getting enough sunlight and eating more vitamin D rich foods. But your doctor might also recommend an additional prescription of Vitamin D medicines.2
Summing Up
Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem across the country. And it’s easy to ignore it until things go for a toss and complications develop. But a routine testing of your blood vitamin D levels can help you stay on top of things and take the corrective steps at the right time.
