Vitamin D 11.4 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 11.4 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 11.4 mean?

A vitamin d level of 11.4 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 11.4 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 11.4 is 28.5 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 11.4 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 11.4. 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
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 11.4 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 11.4 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 11.4 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.

Vitamin D level 11.4 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 11.4?

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 11.4 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 : 11.4

• 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 11.4?

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 11.4 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.	1267 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2397 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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