Low Vitamin D is becoming so common that they are now finding low levels on kids as well as people who are out in the sun. Its not surprising to hear this because of all the worry about skin cancer and using sunscreen as well as not eating a balanced diet.
In case you are not familiar with this lovely vitamin, here is the scoop!
There are two levels of vitamin D deficiency, also called hypovitaminosis. There is severe vitamin D deficiency and then there is a less obvious problem of Low Vitamin D.
In severe Vitamin D deficiency its called Rickets in children and Osteomalacia in adults which is softening of the bones but before it gets to that level there are a few obvious symptoms besides bone pain and muscle weakness, these symptoms are extremely common and since they can be caused by many other problems they are often overlooked by doctors.
This chronic pain should make health care providers always suspect symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency!
Low Vitamin D is so subtle you won't even know you are low until you have the blood test. Some of the first symptoms of Low Vit D could be:
Colds and Flu
Periodontal Disease and Cavities
Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
Osteoporosis
Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy
High Blood Pressure
Lung Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Colon Cancer
Breast Cancer
Asthma
Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis
Many Autoimmune Diseases
PMS
While these are complicated and serious diseases and obviously other factors are involved, one common risk factor for all of these is a low vitamin D level! While the low levels of Vitamin D found in these diseases doesn't necessarily mean they cause these diseases, it does make one wonder what the relationship is!
The American Society of Anesthesiologists released a report ithat stated approximately one in 4 patients who have chronic pain issues were also found to have low levels of vitamin D. I find this very interesting.
This vitamin does a lot more than promoting bone formation, did you know that it also regulates parathyroid hormone secretion from the parathyroid gland? This allows the body to maintain normal calcium levels to allow the nervous and muscular systems to function properly.
So, you may be wondering what the blood test is called, you have to ask for it since it is not on your regular CBC or Chem panel. It’s called The 25- hydoxy Vitamin D test. I highly recommend getting this test done because you never know. After all its only a vitamin if you are deficient, so that means supplementing with vitamin D or better yet, get out in the sun for 10-15 a day!
To your health!
Comments