Vitamin D 12.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 12.9 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 12.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 12.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 12.9 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 12.9 is 32.2 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 12.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 12.9. 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
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
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.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 12.9 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 12.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 12.9 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.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.

Vitamin D level 12.9 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.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
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 12.9?

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 12.9 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 : 12.9

• 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 12.9?

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 12.9 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.	1647 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2213 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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