Vitamin D 14.6 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 14.6 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 14.6 mean?

A vitamin d level of 14.6 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 14.6 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 14.6 is 36.4 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 14.6 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 14.6. 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
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Pork	Pork contains Vitamin D, particularly when sourced from pasture-raised animals.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 14.6 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 14.6 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 14.6 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
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.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.

Vitamin D level 14.6 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 14.6?

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 14.6 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 : 14.6

• 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 14.6?

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 14.6 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.	1909 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2177 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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