Vitamin D 27.3 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 27.3 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 27.3 mean?

A vitamin d level of 27.3 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 27.3 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 27.3 is 68.1 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 27.3 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 27.3. 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
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts 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.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 27.3 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 27.3 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 27.3 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
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.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.

Vitamin D level 27.3 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
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.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 27.3?

Level	Risk

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

Since your value of Vitamin D 27.3 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 : 27.3

• 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 27.3?

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 27.3 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.	1195 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3264 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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