Vitamin D 11.5 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 11.5 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 11.5 mean?

A vitamin d level of 11.5 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 11.5 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 11.5 is 28.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 11.5 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 11.5. you are classified as having a moderate Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

Category	Level (ng/mL)	Description
Severe Deficiency	< 10	Severely low vitamin D levels
Moderate Deficiency	10 - 20	Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency **You are here**
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
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.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
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.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Pork	Pork contains Vitamin D, particularly when sourced from pasture-raised animals.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
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.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 11.5 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 11.5 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 11.5 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
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.
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).
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.

Vitamin D level 11.5 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 11.5?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
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 11.5 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 : 11.5

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• AND
• Insufficient Dietary Intake + Obesity
• AND
• Obesity OR Insufficient Exercise
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 14 - 18.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 11.5?

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 11.5 the relevant supplement dosages are indicated below.^{Pawel Pludowski}

Recommended Daily Dosing for Vitamin D in cases where the Vitamin D Level is between 10 ng/dl and upto 30 ng/dl

A first line of treatment involves increasing the dosage to 1.5-2 x the current level of supplements if the patient is taking any supplements.

If you are not taking any supplements, the values in the table below are to be followed.

Age Group	Vitamin D Intake Per Day	Duration
Infants < 1 month	1000 IU/d	2 months
Infants 1–12 months	1000 IU/d	2 months
Children 1–11 yrs.	1130 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3332 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 2000 - 4000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Adults	4000 IU/d	2 months

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