Vitamin D 13.8 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 13.8 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 13.8 mean?

A vitamin d level of 13.8 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 13.8 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 13.8 is 34.4 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 13.8 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 13.8. 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
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 13.8 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 13.8 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 13.8 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
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.

Vitamin D level 13.8 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 13.8?

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 13.8 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 : 13.8

• 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 13.8?

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 13.8 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.	1136 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3180 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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