Vitamin D 15.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 15.9 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 15.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 15.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 15.9 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 15.9 is 39.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 15.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 15.9. 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
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Pork	Pork contains Vitamin D, particularly when sourced from pasture-raised animals.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 15.9 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 15.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 15.9 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Vitamin D level 15.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 15.9?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
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 15.9 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 : 15.9

• 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 15.9?

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 15.9 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.	1835 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3805 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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