Vitamin D deficiency, also called hypovitaminosis D, is a shortage of vitamin D in the human body. It occurs more frequently in several high-risk groups, but can happen to anyone of any age or background. Left untreated, vitamin D deficiency can lead to calcium and phosphate loss and cause muscle aches, bone pain and weakness.
Causes
According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin D deficiency is most often caused by inadequate dietary intake of the vitamin. Other causes of this deficiency include limited exposure to sunlight, an inability of the kidneys to convert the vitamin to its active form, and inadequate absorption of the vitamin from the intestines.
High-Risk Groups
The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that several groups of people are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency than others. These high-risk groups include breastfed infants, people aged 50 or older, people with dark skin, and people who are obese.
Signs and Symptoms
Krisha McCoy, of New York University's Langone Medical Center, lists hip pain, muscle weakness, bone and muscle pain, falls, difficulty walking, and fractures as symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. She also notes that vitamin D deficiency may also be linked to the development of depression.
Diagnosis
According to the Merck Manual of Medical Information, the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is made based on a patient history, blood tests and diagnostic tests. If a patient reports a poor diet or lack of exposure to sunlight, vitamin D deficiency may be suspected. Blood tests can confirm or deny a deficiency by measuring the amount of vitamin D in the blood. Further confirmation of a vitamin D deficiency can be made by taking X-rays of the bones. X-rays will show any bone deformities that could indicate the presence of hypovitaminosis D.
Treatment
According to the Merck Manual of Medical Information, people with vitamin D deficiency need to take vitamin D in high doses for one to two months. Vitamin D can be given in pill or injection form and may be administered daily or weekly. The dosage schedule will depend on the severity of the vitamin D deficiency. Because vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle spasms, calcium deficiency and phosphate deficiency, calcium and phosphate supplements may also be given. Proper treatment usually leads to a full recovery.
Prevention
Preventing vitamin D deficiency can be accomplished by ensuring that dietary intake and sun exposure are adequate. The Merck Manual of Medical Information indicates that many people require vitamin D supplements because their dietary intake of vitamin D and exposure to sunlight are inadequate. Vitamin D deficiency can also be prevented with the intake of products high in vitamin D content. In the United States, milk and some breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin D. Preventing this deficiency in breastfed infants requires that liquid vitamin D drops be given within the first few days of life to make up for the lack of vitamin D in breast milk.
Member Comments