A vitamin D deficiency is when your levels fall below 12 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood, or 30 nanomoles of vitamin D per liter of blood, per the NIH. Vitamin D deficiency means that your body is not getting enough vitamin D to stay healthy. Why do I need vitamin D and how do I get it? Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is one of the main building blocks of bone. Vitamin D also has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems. Vitamin D deficiency is the state of having inadequate amounts of vitamin D in your body, which may cause health problems like brittle bones and muscle weakness. There may be no symptoms and doctors don’t routinely check vitamin D levels, so many people are deficient and don’t realize it. Signs and symptoms of the deficiency Many people with vitamin D deficiency have no symptoms. However, the deficiency can cause the following issues. Frequent infections or illnesses Vitamin D
Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Prevention Treatment Spotlight on Aging: Vitamin D Deficiency Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency.
