Vitamin D 17.5 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 17.5 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 17.5 mean?

A vitamin d level of 17.5 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 17.5 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 17.5 is 43.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 17.5 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 17.5. 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.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
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.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Cod liver oil	A rich source of Vitamin D, often available as a dietary supplement.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 17.5 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 17.5 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 17.5 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
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.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
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.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.
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.

Vitamin D level 17.5 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
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.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 17.5?

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 17.5 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 : 17.5

• 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 17.5?

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 17.5 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.	1453 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2556 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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