Vitamin D 19.2 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 19.2 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 19.2 mean?

A vitamin d level of 19.2 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 19.2 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 19.2 is 47.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 19.2 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 19.2. 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
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
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 dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
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.
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.
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
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 19.2 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 19.2 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 19.2 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Growth	Children with rickets may experience slowed growth and development compared to their peers.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
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.
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.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.

Vitamin D level 19.2 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 19.2?

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 19.2 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 : 19.2

• 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 19.2?

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 19.2 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.	1246 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	2002 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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