Vitamin D 12.8 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 12.8 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 12.8 mean?

A vitamin d level of 12.8 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 12.8 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 12.8 is 31.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 12.8 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 12.8. 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
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 12.8 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 12.8 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 12.8 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.

Vitamin D level 12.8 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 12.8?

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 12.8 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 : 12.8

• 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 12.8?

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 12.8 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.	1438 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3832 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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