Vitamin D 22.0 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 22.0 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 22.0 mean?

A vitamin d level of 22.0 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 22.0 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 22.0 is 54.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 22.0 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 22.0. you are classified as having a mild or insufficient 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
Insufficiency	20 - 30	Mild to Insufficient **You are here**
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
Pork	Pork contains Vitamin D, particularly when sourced from pasture-raised animals.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
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 22.0 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 22.0 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 22.0 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
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.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.

Vitamin D level 22.0 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
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.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 22.0?

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

What is my Vitamin D deficiency score and how to calculate it?

Since your value of Vitamin D 22.0 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 : 22.0

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• OR
• Insufficient Physical Activity + Insufficient Dietary Intake + Obesity
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 9 and 13.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 22.0?

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 22.0 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.	1432 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2348 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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