Vitamin D 6.4 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

Published Date : 2023-08-30T14:56:15.567Z

Updated Date : 2023-08-30T14:56:15.567+00:00

What does a Vitamin D level of 6.4 mean?

A vitamin d level of 6.4 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 6.4 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 6.4 is 16.0 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 6.4 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 6.4. you are classified as having a severe Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

What are the sources of Vitamin D?

Food	How it helps with Vitamin D
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 6.4 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 6.4 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 6.4 Symptoms in Children

Vitamin D level 6.4 Symptoms in Adults

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 6.4?

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 6.4 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

• Insufficiency Score for Vitamin D : 6.4

• 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 6.4?

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 6.4 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