Vitamin D 7.6 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 7.6 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 7.6 mean?

A vitamin d level of 7.6 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 7.6 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 7.6 is 19.0 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 7.6 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 7.6. 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
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
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.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 7.6 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 7.6 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 7.6 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of 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.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
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.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.

Vitamin D level 7.6 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 7.6?

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 7.6 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 : 7.6

• 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 7.6?

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 7.6 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.	5610 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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