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Vitamin D Deficiency

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Vitamin D Deficiency

(Hypovitaminosis D)

Definition

Vitamin D deficiency is a low level of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is found in a few foods. It is also produced when the skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sun. Vitamin D is stored in the body's liver and fatty tissues.

This health problem can lead to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. These are two diseases that weaken bones.

Weakened Bone.

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Causes

Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by:

  • Problems producing vitamin D from the skin's exposure to sunlight
  • Not getting enough vitamin D in the diet or from supplements
  • Not absorbing enough vitamin D from the digestive tract
  • Problems with the body converting vitamin D to a form it can use

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

  • Lack of direct sun exposure from things like:
    • Spending a lot of time indoors, such as in long term care facilities
    • Wearing clothes that cover most of the skin
    • Living in northern latitudes during the winter
    • Having darker skin
  • Not eating enough foods that contain vitamin D
  • Having conditions and procedures that affect the body's ability to absorb vitamin D, such as:
  • The body cannot covert vitamin D to a form it can use, due to problems such as:

Symptoms

People with mild to moderate deficiency may not have symptoms. Those with a severe deficiency may have:

  • Bone and muscle pain
  • Hip pain
  • Muscle weakness
  • Problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting out of a chair
  • Frequent falls

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms, past health, and diet. A physical exam will be done.

Vitamin D levels will be tested. This can be done with blood tests.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to increase vitamin D levels. This can be done with:

  • Vitamin D supplements
  • Ultraviolet light therapy

Prevention

The risk of this problem may be lowered by:

  • Eating foods that contain vitamin D, such as:
    • Milk, juice, and cereal enriched with vitamin D
    • Salmon, swordfish, tuna, and sardines
    • Beef liver
    • Egg yolks
  • Getting some sun exposure
RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • American Academy of Dermatology. Position statement on vitamin D. American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: http://www.aad.org/Forms/Policies/Uploads/PS/PS-Vitamin%20D.pdf.
  • Dietary supplement fact sheet: vitamin D. Office of Dietary Supplements website. Available at: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional.
  • Holick MF. The vitamin D deficiency pandemic: Approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017;18(2):153-165
  • Vitamin D deficiency in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults.

Contributors

  • Dianne Scheinberg Rishikof MS, RD, LDN
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.