Vitamin D 5.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 5.9 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 5.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 5.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 5.9 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 5.9 is 14.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 5.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 5.9. 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
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 5.9 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 5.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 5.9 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
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.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
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.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
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.

Vitamin D level 5.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
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.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
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 5.9?

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 5.9 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 : 5.9

• 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 5.9?

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 5.9 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.	3814 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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