![Vitamin D 8.1 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment](/images/blogs/vitamin_d/8_1.png)
Vitamin D 8.1 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment
In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 8.1 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.Published Date : 2023-08-31T14:56:15.567Z
Updated Date : 2023-08-31T14:56:15.567+00:00
Table of Contents
What does a Vitamin D level of 8.1 mean?
What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 8.1 in standard units?
Is a Vitamin D value of 8.1 considered low or high?
What are the sources of Vitamin D?
What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?
What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 8.1 ng/ml?
What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 8.1?
What is my Vitamin D deficiency score and how to calculate it?
What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 8.1?
What does a Vitamin D level of 8.1 mean?
A vitamin d level of 8.1 is considered to be deficient.
What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 8.1 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 8.1 is 20.2 nmol/L
Is a Vitamin D value of 8.1 considered low or high?
Based on your Vitamin D value of 8.1. 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. |
Canned salmon | Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D. |
Tofu | Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk. |
Beef liver | Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary. |
Mackerel | Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content. |
Egg yolks | Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed. |
Cod liver oil | A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement. |
Almond milk | Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D. |
Lamb | Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D. |
Cheese | Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D. |
What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?
Cause | Description |
---|---|
Malabsorption disorders | Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract. |
Limited outdoor activities | A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure. |
Osteoporosis | Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis. |
Certain types of cancer | Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism. |
Crohn's disease | An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies. |
Alcoholism | Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D. |
Cystic fibrosis | Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption. |
Certain autoimmune diseases | Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization. |
Being homebound or institutionalized | Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency. |
Dark skin | Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight. |
What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 8.1 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 8.1 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:Vitamin D level 8.1 Symptoms in Children
Symptom | Description |
---|---|
Delayed Growth | Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers. |
Brittle Nails | Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking. |
Delayed Healing | Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets. |
Delayed Puberty | In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development. |
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). |
Delayed Teething | Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth. |
Enlarged Joints | Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets. |
Irritability | Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience. |
Bone Pain | Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine. |
Vitamin D level 8.1 Symptoms in Adults
Symptom | Description |
---|---|
Bone Tenderness | Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch. |
Short Stature | In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays. |
Depression | Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression. |
Easy Bruising | Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia. |
Muscle Cramps | Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms. |
Bone Deformities | Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine. |
Tingling or Numbness | Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia. |
Dental Problems | Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues. |
Waddling Gait | A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia. |
Delayed Healing | Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia. |
What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 8.1?
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 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 8.1 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 : 8.1
- 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 8.1?
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 8.1 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. | 4667 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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