Vitamin D 12.6 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

Published Date : 2023-09-05T14:56:15.567Z

Updated Date : 2023-09-05T14:56:15.567+00:00

What does a Vitamin D level of 12.6 mean?

A vitamin d level of 12.6 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 12.6 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 12.6 is 31.4 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 12.6 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 12.6. you are classified as having a moderate Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

What are the sources of Vitamin D?

Food	How it helps with Vitamin D
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 12.6 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 12.6 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 12.6 Symptoms in Children

Vitamin D level 12.6 Symptoms in Adults

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 12.6?

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 12.6 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

• Insufficiency Score for Vitamin D : 12.6

• 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 12.6?

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 12.6 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.