Vitamin D and cortisol are both important chemicals that your body needs in order to function. Your bones require vitamin D in order to grow properly and maintain their structural integrity. Furthermore, vitamin D plays a role in helping your body fend off osetoporosis, high blood pressure and cancer, MayoClinic.com reports. Cortisol is a hormone that your body uses to regulate inflammation, metabolism and synthesis of other hormones. Cortisol, which is produced by your adrenal gland, is essential for your survival. Deficiencies in either of these critical substances can cause a variety of symptoms.
Muscle Weakness
Both vitamin D and cotrsol deficiency can cause muscle weakness. If you are deficient in cortisol, the weakness can include all of the muscles in your body, DermNet NZ explains. However, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, deficiency in vitamin D leads to a weakness in your proximal muscles, which are the muscles closest to your torso. The weakness seen in both deficiencies can be accompanied by generalized body or muscle pain.
Weakening of the Bones
The most common symptom of vitamin D deficiency is a significant weakening of the bones, according to MayoClinic.com. In children this leads to a condition called rickets. Children with this condition have very weak bones, and this can lead to permanent skeletal deformities and stunted growth. In adults, a severe vitamin D deficiency is often referred to as osteomalacia. If you have osteomalacia, you may experience joint pain and are at a higher risk for bone fractures.
Low Blood Pressure
Without cortisol, your body may not be able to maintain a normal blood pressure, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Cortisol helps keep blood pressure levels within the normal limits. A low blood pressure can decrease the amount of blood that reaches the organs. Without blood, the affected organs cannot receive nutrients and oxygen. Often, if you are suffering from cortisol deficiency, or hypocortisolism, you will experience dizziness upon standing. This dizziness is a symptom of low blood pressure.
Dark Pigmentation of the Skin
Addison's disease, which is characterized by a failure or the adrenal gland, leads to low cortisol levels. A common dermatologic symptom of low cortisol levels is a generalized dark pigmentation of your skin, DermNet NZ reports. You may notice that you have dark spots similar to a dark tan developing on areas exposed to any type of light. Furthermore, this dark pigmentation can occur on your palms, feet, armpits, genitalia and gums. If you notice a sudden abnormal pigmentation in these areas, you may be suffering from hypocortisolism and should consult your physician.
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