Vitamin D 16.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 16.9 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 16.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 16.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 16.9 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 16.9 is 42.2 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 16.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 16.9. 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
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
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.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Certain medications (e.g., anticonvulsants)	Some medications interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and absorption.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 16.9 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 16.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 16.9 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and other injuries may take longer to heal in children with rickets.
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
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.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.

Vitamin D level 16.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
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 16.9?

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 16.9 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 : 16.9

• 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 16.9?

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 16.9 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.	1903 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2188 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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