Vitamin D 4.7 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 4.7 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 4.7 mean?

A vitamin d level of 4.7 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 4.7 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 4.7 is 11.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 4.7 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 4.7. you are classified as having a severe Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

Category	Level (ng/mL)	Description
Severe Deficiency	< 10	Severely low vitamin D levels **You are here**
Moderate Deficiency	10 - 20	Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency
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
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
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.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 4.7 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 4.7 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 4.7 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with 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.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.

Vitamin D level 4.7 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.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 4.7?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
Your value is Less Than 10	40% more risk of mortality compared to those with vitamin d above 40Ginde AA
Your value is Less Than 8	More risk of cardiovascular mortality than those with a median vitamin d of 28Dobnig H
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 4.7 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 : 4.7

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• AND
• Insufficient Dietary Intake
• AND
• Obesity
• AND
• Insufficient Exercise
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 14 - 18.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 4.7?

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 4.7 the relevant supplement dosages are indicated below.^{Pawel Pludowski}

Recommended Daily Dosing for Vitamin D in cases where the Vitamin D Level is < 10 ng/dl

Age Group	Vitamin D Intake Per Day	Duration
Infants < 1 month	1000 IU/d	3 months
Infants 1–12 months	2000 IU/d	3 months
Children 1–11 yrs.	3210 IU/d**(Represents a value in the range of 3000 - 6000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	3 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	6000 IU/d	3 months
Adults	6000 IU/d	3 months

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