Vitamin D 17.2 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 17.2 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 17.2 mean?

A vitamin d level of 17.2 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 17.2 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 17.2 is 42.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 17.2 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 17.2. 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
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
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.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 17.2 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 17.2 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 17.2 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of 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.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.

Vitamin D level 17.2 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
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 17.2?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
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 17.2 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 : 17.2

• 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 17.2?

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 17.2 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.	1920 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2257 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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