How To Tell if You're Lacking Vitamin D

The human body is an amazing and intricate powerhouse of activity. It's constantly breaking down food into nutrients that your body uses to make you happier, healthier, and ready to seize the day. 

Unfortunately, keeping up with a balanced diet and getting the necessary vitamins and minerals can be challenging. Even a balanced diet is no guarantee that your body is properly absorbing those vital nutrients.

Though some foods have been fortified with vitamin D, very few foods contain it naturally. Consuming enough vitamin D through food is challenging, so taking a supplement or getting intravenous (IV) therapy is the best option for most people.

Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies are easy to identify. Low iron, for instance, comes with a lot of recognizable symptoms. You have fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and more. But a vitamin D deficiency can be sneaky and not show its effects for years.

Do you have a vitamin D deficiency? Our experts at Balance Hormone Center in Norman, Oklahoma, offer personalized treatments to target vitamin D deficits. Gordon Hart, PA-C, and Brian A. Yeaman, MD, can help you identify your nutritional goals and get you back on track.

What is vitamin D and why is it important?

Your skin produces vitamin D, also known as the sun vitamin, with exposure to sunlight. It's an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium and keeps your bones healthy and strong. 

Most children and fair-skinned individuals can easily absorb this nutrient, but older individuals or those with rich amounts of melanin in their skin have a harder time. 

Ensuring you get the recommended amount of vitamin D is crucial since it’s essential for many bodily processes and can be a key component in preventive measures. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency?

Many early vitamin D deficiency symptoms are subtle or attributed to other issues. For instance, if you're frequently getting colds, infections, or generally feeling under the weather, it's easy to dismiss it as exposure to germs. But low levels of vitamin D can be a contributing factor to your overall health. 

Like iron, low vitamin D can also cause fatigue, though not to the same extreme. Other signs and symptoms include: 

• Back and bone pain
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bone loss 
• Slowly healing wounds
• Weakened muscles 

Vitamin D assists in the absorption of calcium to keep your bones strong. It prevents a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which can cause soft bones. 

It also works with your parathyroid glands to regulate the amount of calcium in your bloodstream, which directly affects your kidneys, skeleton, and gut health. 

How can low vitamin D affect health over time?

Long-term vitamin D deficiency can have serious consequences. High blood pressure and heart disease have been associated with a deficiency in vitamin D, as have diabetes, immune disorders, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. Even if the vitamin D deficit isn't a direct cause, it still impacts the severity of the condition. 

The most modern method of supplying your body with vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients is IV therapy. Receiving vitamin D via IV therapy ensures the proper nutrients bypass your digestive tract — where they’re sometimes destroyed — and enter your bloodstream directly.

Target vitamin D deficiency today

If you think you may have a deficiency in vitamin D or any other essential nutrient, call us at Balance Hormone Center in Norman, Oklahoma, or request an appointment online. 

We create customized treatment plans for men and women. Our highly skilled team of professionals put together a holistic assessment of your health and help you get back on track to a healthier, happier you.