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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the symptoms of low Vitamin D levels?

    Related Topics
    Nutrition Osteoporosis & Bone Health
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    Arlene Normand

    Dietitian

    Arlene is a registered practising dietitian, with a private practice in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, and has built a strong business over the last … View Profile

    Low Vitamin D effects bone health, such as raising chances of osteoporosis, it is not something you would generally notice until you become old and your bones start to get fragile or until you have a fall and unexpected bone fracture.. By that time, it will be a bit too late to start trying to correcting the damage that low vitamin D has caused despite you taking a vitamin D supplement.

    There are some more symptoms of low Vitamin D levels that are lesser known, and are not in any way related to bone health. These include some of the major killers, such as heart disease and cancer. They also include obesity, autoimmune diseases along with disorders such as acne and depression.
    I’m certainly not saying that taking a supplement will help prevent these illnesses, but according to the research it may help significantly.
    These symptoms are so varied and often so subtle that they may not even be noticeable. Therefore it may be a good idea to have a Vitamin D blood test done to make sure you are not deficient, and you might especially want to do this if you have some sort of mysterious health problems.

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    lane

    HealthShare Member

    I agree with the above. I found out I was very low in Vitamin D & my Dr's told me some of the immediate symptoms could be tiredness & depression. I have since learned how important it is for a healthy immune system. I suspect I was low for a long time before finding out as I hardly ever went outside & was very vigilant with sunscreen due to having fair skin. When I was very low, had a number of infections which ended up with me having to get i.v antibiotics in hospital. I would also get sick with a cold or flu all the time. After getting my Vitamin D level to the higher end of the scale, my infections went away & I haven't had a cold or flu in 2 years, since I have been taking it. I've been around sick people all the time but just don't seem to catch anything while taking Vit D supplement. I haven't had any flu shots either.

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    Ashleigh Keep

    Dietitian

    Ashleigh is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD, AN) and registered with the Dietitian's Association of Australia with experience in both clinical and private practice. Ashleigh's … View Profile

    Vitamin D deficiency is very common and often goes undetected until the later stages of life. Vitamin D is not a regular vitamin obtained via the diet, rather a steroid vitamin which is activated by sunlight. The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often very subtle and require a blood test for diagnosis. Some signs or symptoms which may increase your risk of vitamin D deficiency are listed below. If you have any of these, it is recommended you get a blood test to check your vitamin D levels:

    • Darker skin - your skin pigment acts as sun protection, so the darker your skin, the more time you will need to spend in the sun to make adequate amounts of vitamin D
    • Low mood - low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression
    • You are 50 years or older - As you age, your skin is not as effective in activating Vitmain D. With this, your kidneys are also less efficient at converting vitamin D to the form used by the body as well as you tend to spend more time indoors
    • Overweight/obesity - Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. Our fat stores collect it and overweight people will require more vitamin D than a slimmer person
    • GI problems - if you have gastrointestinal problems and are unable to absorb fat, you will have lower absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin D

    If you are concerned about any of the above, seek a blood test via your GP

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