Vitamin D 22.5 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 22.5 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 22.5 mean?

A vitamin d level of 22.5 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 22.5 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 22.5 is 56.2 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 22.5 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 22.5. 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
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.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.
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.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high 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.
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.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 22.5 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 22.5 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 22.5 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
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.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.

Vitamin D level 22.5 Symptoms in Adults

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

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 22.5?

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 22.5 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 : 22.5

• 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 22.5?

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 22.5 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.	1797 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3926 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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