Low levels of vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency have become a widespread health concern. According to a 2009 report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, as many as 77 percent of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is needed for bone health, and deficiency has recently been linked to many different health issues such as autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, cancer and obesity. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include softening of bones, bone and muscle pain and fatigue. Numerous studies in recent years have found a connection between low levels of vitamin D and the pain associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia and general undiagnosed pain.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that can be made naturally when your skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B rays from the sun. It can also be found in some foods such as fortified milk and oily fish like salmon. Vitamin D is measured as 25 hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D, in the blood, and the range is measured in nanograms per milliliter. The normal range is between 30 and 80ng/ml. If your blood test results come back below 30ng/ml, you are considered vitamin D deficient. If you believe you may be vitamin D deficient, consult with your physician and have your level checked. If you are deficient, your physician can create a supplementation plan to best fit you.
Vitamin D and Growing Pains
In a May 2011 study published in the Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons -- Pakistan, researchers looked for a possible connection between low levels of vitamin D and growing pains in children. Looking at children between the ages of 5 and 12 with limb pain of an unknown cause and growing pain, researchers looked at their vitamin D blood levels. The research showed that low vitamin D levels could play a role in these growing pains and that all children with unexplained limb pain should be tested for vitamin D deficiency and treated.
Vitamin D and Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic, widespread pain. According to a 2010 report in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, low levels of vitamin D are seen frequently in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Vitamin D specialist and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at Boston University's School of Medicine Michael Horlick believes that many people who receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia may actually be suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. He believes the recent rise in fibromyalgia diagnoses and the rise in vitamin D deficiency are connected.
Vitamin D and Skeletal Pain
Skeletal pain can be called such things as leg pain, widespread pain, rib pain or any other type of general body pain that cannot be explained through diagnosis. A October 2010 study published in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases looked for a possible connection between skeletal pain and vitamin D deficiency. They discovered that vitamin D deficiency did play a role in explaining this pain, especially in women. The researchers recommended that all patients with unexplained pain have their vitamin D blood levels checked and be treated for vitamin D deficiency if necessary.
References
- Archives of Internal Medicine: "Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the U.S. Population, 1988-2004"; Adit A. Ginde, MD et al; March 23, 2009
- Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons -- Pakistan: "Vitamin D Levels in Children With Growing Pains"; S. Qamar et al.; May 2011
- University of California Television: D-Lightful Vitamin D: Bone & Muscle Health and Prevention of Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Fibromyalgia; April 2009
- The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association: "Vitamin D Deficiency in Fibromyalgia"; SA Bhatty et al; November 2010
- International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases: "Association Between Nonspecific Skeletal Pain and Vitamin D Deficiency"; B Heidari et al; October 2010
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