Low Hydroxy Vitamin D Signs & Symptoms

Hydroxy vitamin D is also called calcidiol. This substance is the second stage of your body's conversion of vitamin D3 to the hormone calcitriol. If you suspect that you are deficient, the blood test you need is called the 25-hydroxy-vitamin D test. It measures your level of calcidiol. You may not notice any problems if your calcidiol level is borderline. However, if it is low, and you don't have enough calcidiol to convert into the hormone calcitriol, you may notice some signs and symptoms.

Bone Pain

Osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children are caused by low levels of the vitamin D3 hormone. The vitamin is used to treat them. Both of these conditions can cause aching in the bones. Since there may not be bone deformities from early osteomalacia in adults, the condition can be difficult to detect. Testing for vitamin D may help provide an answer.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a more complex condition. It often is the result of at least two hormone deficiencies and can also be related to mineral deficiencies. The treatment may include medications with improved diet and must include a source of vitamin D3. The hormone it forms is a critical hormone for bone formation and repair.

Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

If you lack sufficient vitamin D3, you may find your blood pressure and cholesterol levels harder to control. Vitamin D was found to increase the good HDL cholesterol in your blood. This can lower your risk of heart attack. If you are insufficient in vitamin D, supplements may help lower your blood pressure.

Muscle Pain and Weakness

Muscle pain and weakness are common problems for adults, especially in the elderly. These can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. Weakness is one of the causes of falls in older people and can cause serious injury, especially if the bones are also weakened by osteoporosis. As you age, you are less able to make vitamin D from the sun.

Frequent Infections and Asthma

If you seem to catch everything that comes along, this can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. The hormone calcitriol is vital to the immune system. Current Asthma and Allergy Reports says that "observational studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency increases risk of respiratory infections. This increased risk may contribute to incident wheezing illness in children and adults and cause asthma exacerbations."

Autoimmune Disorders

If you have an autoimmune disorder, vitamin D deficiency may be part of the cause. Its association with the immune system is complex, and although supplementation will not affect a cure, it may reduce the number and severity of flare-ups. Request a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D test if you suffer from an autoimmune disorder.

Depression and Mental Illness

Depression is common, and so is vitamin D deficiency. Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council says, "Evidence exists that major depression is associated with low vitamin D levels and that depression has increased in the last century as vitamin D levels have surely fallen." He also says that there are potential links with other mental illnesses as well as strong association with vitamin D deficiency and autism.