Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms and Treatment
Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common concerns today. Here's a quick guide based on our research-based information on its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Chronic Fatigue
Vitamin D (ergocalciferol or calciferol) is a fat-soluble vital nutrient needed by our body to build and maintain healthy bones. It supports our muscles, brain cells, and immune system due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Vitamin D is mainly made in the skin by exposure to sunlight, where sunlight converts a chemical in the skin to the form of a vitamin called calciferol. Bodies make vitamin D based on skin color, geographic region, air pollution, and other factors. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to chronic fatigue, scientifically known as Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Studies suggest that vitamin D supplements can improve blood pressure, endothelial functions, and reduce cardiovascular disease risk, potentially reducing the severity of fatigue.
Low Vitamin D Cause Fatigue?
Yes, low vitamin D cause problems with bones and muscles, leading to fatigue. Low vitamin D is a global issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes vitamin D's role in increasing calcium and phosphorus absorption, crucial for skeletal development, immune functions, and blood cell formation. Low blood circulation, body pain, leg pain, and a weakened immune system can result from Vitamin D deficiency. It can also cause low mood, depression, and anxiety, which can impact energy levels. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms are mostly vague, and getting the right treatment is sometimes delayed. So tiredness due to low vitamin D is not identified in time.
Vitamin D and Immune Health
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection. Supplementing Vitamin D can benefit people with autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes mellitus (DM), inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vitamin D affects cells within the immune system, inhibiting B cell (a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes) proliferation, blocking B cell differentiation, and suppressing T cell proliferation (T cell is a type of white blood cell that develops from stem cells in the bone marrow).
How to Test Vitamin D Deficiency?
A blood test identifies vitamin D deficiency by measuring the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D. Another test measures "active vitamin D" called calcitriol or 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D, primarily used to detect kidney problems. Severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with complications like coronary heart disease, breast cancer, bowel cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency
The treatment of vitamin D deficiency involves taking supplements like ergocalciferol or calciferol, with the dose based on age, severity, and other medical conditions. High doses may be given initially to normalize levels, followed by a maintenance dose. Natural vitamins can be produced by sun exposure for 20-30 minutes, 2-3 times a week. Other sources include foods like egg yolk, cod liver oil, red meat, liver, sardines, tuna, and salmon. For children, liquids and drops are available. When vitamin D deficiency occurs, the condition is treated with vitamin D supplements, and given enough fortified food and drinks such as milk, cereal, fatty fish, and sardines.
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