Vitamin D 4.8 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 4.8 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 4.8 mean?

A vitamin d level of 4.8 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 4.8 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 4.8 is 12.0 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 4.8 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 4.8. 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
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 4.8 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 4.8 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 4.8 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
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.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.

Vitamin D level 4.8 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
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.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 4.8?

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 4.8 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 : 4.8

• 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 4.8?

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 4.8 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.	3241 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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