Vitamin D 16.8 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 16.8 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 16.8 mean?

A vitamin d level of 16.8 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 16.8 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 16.8 is 41.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 16.8 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 16.8. 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
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 16.8 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 16.8 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 16.8 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
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.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.

Vitamin D level 16.8 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
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.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 16.8?

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 16.8 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 : 16.8

• 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 16.8?

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 16.8 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.	1234 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2855 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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