Vitamin D 7.5 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 7.5 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 7.5 mean?

A vitamin d level of 7.5 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 7.5 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 7.5 is 18.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 7.5 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 7.5. 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
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 7.5 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 7.5 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 7.5 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.

Vitamin D level 7.5 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 7.5?

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 7.5 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 : 7.5

• 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 7.5?

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 7.5 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.	5494 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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