Low vitamin D level in the blood

If you need to know which are the vitamin D reference ranges or you require more information about vitamin D in a blood test, you can visit normal vitamin D in a blood test.

Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin because it is synthesized by skin exposure to the sunshine.

Low values of vitamin D in the blood are common in winter, in aged people who do not get regular exposure to sunlight or in countries with few daylight hours.

A low level of vitamin D occurs with malabsorption syndromes such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis. Also, in case of suffering nephrotic syndrome where there is a significant loss of vitamin D in the urine.

A prolonged and severe deficiency of vitamin D may alter the development of bones, causing rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

The most common vitamin D blood test measures only the 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] that it is the main circulating form of vitamin D.

Vitamin D [25(OH)D] blood values are usually given in ng/ml but sometimes you can see these values in nmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). In case your values are in nmol/l you can convert them using this tool:

The following diseases can explain a vitamin D [25(OH)D] blood level lower than normal:

You can elevate the vitamin D level in the blood if you increase the intake of foods rich in vitamin D. You can eat egg yolks, fatty fish (such as tuna or salmon), fortified dairy products or cod liver oil. Nevertheless, the most effective measure

is a regular sun exposure.

In any case, it is necessary to get a proper diagnosis since it could be due to malabsorption or kidney problems that do not depend on the intake of vitamin D or the sun exposure.

The following values are considered to be above the normal range:

IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in ng/ml. They are an example of a healthy adult of about 45 years old with no known disease with an adequate sunlight exposure and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.