Vitamin D 10.2 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 10.2 ng/ml means, what are its causes and how to calculate your Vitamin D deficiency risk score, and how to improve your Vitamin D as well as a treatment plan and possible risks.

What does a Vitamin D level of 10.2 mean?

A vitamin d level of 10.2 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 10.2 in standard units?

In order to convert the value of Vitamin D from ng/ml into the SI Units, we must use a formula of conversion : Vitamin D in SI units (nmol/L) = Vitamin D in ng/ml*2.496¹ Based on the given formula, the value of Vitamin D in SI units for a value in ng/ml of 10.2 is 25.5 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 10.2 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 10.2. you are classified as having a moderate Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

Category	Level (ng/mL)	Description
Severe Deficiency	< 10	Severely low vitamin D levels
Moderate Deficiency	10 - 20	Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency **You are here**
Insufficiency	20 - 30	Mild to Insufficient
Healthy	30 - 80	Normal Vitamin D Levels
Toxicity	> 80	Potentially harmful vitamin D levels

What are the sources of Vitamin D?

Food	How it helps with Vitamin D
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 10.2 ng/ml?

The symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in children and adults are manifested by rickets and osteomalacia respectively. These conditions may show a variety of symptoms ranging from mild muscle pain, and bone pain to developmental abnormalities and fractures. For a Vitamin D level of 10.2 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 10.2 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Bone Deformities	Rickets can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or knock-knees, due to weakened bones unable to support the body's weight properly.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.

Vitamin D level 10.2 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 10.2?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
Your value is Less Than 15	Two fold higher risk of having high blood pressure as those with Vitamin D above 26Reis JP
Your value is Less Than 21	Increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high triglyceride levelsMartins D

What is my Vitamin D deficiency score and how to calculate it?

Since your value of Vitamin D 10.2 is below the normal limit of 30, you must evaluate the following 4 factors that may be contributing to your deficiency. Based on a study done by Garg et al the following Vitamin D Insufficiency and Deficiency Score can predict and determine your causes of deficiency.

As per the study 4 major factors are invovled in Vitamin D deficiency.

Factors and Descriptions

Factor	Description
Physical Activity	Engaging in regular physical activity can contribute to improved metabolism and Vitamin D levels.
Obesity	Obesity, indicated by a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m² or higher, can lead to Vitamin D deficiencies
Diet	Dietary intake of at least 100 Grams (gms) of milk/dairy products OR at least 100 gms fish or 1 egg with yolk for four or more days in the last seven days was considered Adequate
Daily Sun Exposure	Daily exposure to sunlight is important for the body's synthesis of Vitamin D. Spending at least 1.75 hours in the sun each day can help maintain Vitamin D levels, which is essential for bone health and immune function.

• Insufficiency Score for Vitamin D : 10.2

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• AND
• Insufficient Dietary Intake + Obesity
• AND
• Obesity OR Insufficient Exercise
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 14 - 18.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 10.2?

Vitamin D supplmentation is the only way to correct for deficiencies. The tables below list the dosages of Vitamin D supplements recommeded for different age groups, depending on the level of the Vitamin D. Since your value of Vitamin D is 10.2 the relevant supplement dosages are indicated below.^{Pawel Pludowski}

Recommended Daily Dosing for Vitamin D in cases where the Vitamin D Level is between 10 ng/dl and upto 30 ng/dl

A first line of treatment involves increasing the dosage to 1.5-2 x the current level of supplements if the patient is taking any supplements.

If you are not taking any supplements, the values in the table below are to be followed.

Age Group	Vitamin D Intake Per Day	Duration
Infants < 1 month	1000 IU/d	2 months
Infants 1–12 months	1000 IU/d	2 months
Children 1–11 yrs.	1073 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2087 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 2000 - 4000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Adults	4000 IU/d	2 months

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