Vitamin D deficiency, which classically manifests as bone disease, is characterized by impaired bone mineralization.
Vitamin D deficiency affects persons of all ages. Common manifestations of vitamin D deficiency are symmetric low back pain, proximal muscle weakness, muscle aches, and throbbing bone pain elicited with pressure over the sternum or tibia. A 25-hydroxyvitamin D level should be obtained in patients with suspected vitamin D deficiency. The goal of treatment is to normalize vitamin D levels to relieve symptoms and decrease the risk of fractures, falls, and other adverse health outcomes.
Vitamin D does a lot of things to help maintain your health. It is key in absorbing calcium to strengthen your bones. It also helps support a healthy brain, heart, teeth and lungs. Vitamin D keeps your immune system strong and can help regulate insulin levels. It keeps your energy levels up and enhances your mood.
The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often very subtle, so many people don’t know they are deficient. Some of the effects of vitamin D deficiency include:
* Fatigue or tired
* Bone pain
* Joint pain
* Muscle pain
* Sour mood
* Low energy
* More frequent illness
* Anxiety
* Irritability
* Weight gain
* Hair loss
You can also get more vitamin D into your body through your diet. Some vitamin D rich foods include:
* Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, herring or sardines
* Cheese
* Milk
* Egg yolks
* Beef liver

* Cod liver oil
* Shrimp
* Mushrooms
You can take in vitamin D by spending time outside in the sunshine. If you are using the sunshine for a vitamin D boost, you only need about 10-15 minutes in direct sun to reap the benefits.
The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25- hydroxy vitamin D blood test.