Adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for the health of numerous tissues throughout the body. The body synthesizes much of the vitamin D you need when skin cells absorb sunlight. In the United States, many common foods, such as milk, are fortified with this vitamin, making a vitamin D deficiency rare in this country. When a deficiency does occur, however, one of the resulting symptoms is tingling and numbness in the extremities.
Rickets and Osteomalacia
A vitamin D deficiency can cause a disease called rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. This deficiency is generally due to one or more of three factors: lack of vitamin D in the diet; not getting enough sunlight and/or malabsorption due to certain diseases or conditions. Some people, such as those with dark skin, those who live very far north or south of the equator and the elderly, are more susceptible to a vitamin D deficiency than others because their skin does not synthesize a large amount of vitamin D.
Signs and Symptoms
Both rickets and osteomalacia can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities, including the arms, hands, legs and feet. Other signs and symptoms of rickets and osteomalacia include bones that break easily, weakness in the muscles, and pain in bones throughout the body.
Phosphorous and Calcium Effects
Low levels of vitamin D can lead to hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia, which mean that the levels of the minerals phosphorous or calcium, respectively, in the blood are lower than normal. Vitamin D induces the bones to release both calcium and phosphorous into the bloodstream and the intestines to absorb more calcium and phosphorous from the foods you eat. Because the levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous are so dependent upon one another, a deficiency in vitamin D and/or either of the two minerals can lead to rickets or osteomalacia, which in turn leads to tingling and numbness in the extremities.
Recommendations
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for males and females between the ages of 14 and 50 is 5 micrograms per day. Men and women between 51 and 70 years should get 10 micrograms per day, and those older than 70 years should get 15 micrograms per day. The increasing recommended doses as you grow older are due to the fact that the skin gradually loses the ability to effectively synthesize vitamin D as you age. Making sure you get the recommended daily value of vitamin D will ensure you avoid the tingling and other signs and symptoms of rickets and osteomalacia. Before starting on a vitamin regimen, however, it is a good idea to check with your doctor to see what level of vitamin D intake is right for you.
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