Vitamin D 14.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 14.9 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 14.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 14.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 14.9 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 14.9 is 37.2 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 14.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 14.9. 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
Caviar	Fish roe, or caviar, can provide small amounts of Vitamin D.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 14.9 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 14.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 14.9 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.
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).
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
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.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.

Vitamin D level 14.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 14.9?

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 14.9 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 : 14.9

• 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 14.9?

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 14.9 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.	1983 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2369 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

---