Vitamin D 17.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 17.9 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 17.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 17.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 17.9 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 17.9 is 44.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 17.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 17.9. 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
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
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
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Limited outdoor activities	A sedentary lifestyle with minimal outdoor time can result in reduced sunlight exposure.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Kidney disorders	Kidney diseases can reduce the activation of Vitamin D in the body, affecting its functions.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 17.9 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 17.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 17.9 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
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.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Vision Problems	Rickets can affect the eyes, leading to problems such as night blindness and other visual disturbances.

Vitamin D level 17.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
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.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 17.9?

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 17.9 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 : 17.9

• 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 17.9?

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 17.9 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.	1359 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2329 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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