Vitamin D 24.0 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 24.0 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 24.0 mean?

A vitamin d level of 24.0 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 24.0 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 24.0 is 59.9 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 24.0 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 24.0. you are classified as having a mild or insufficient 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
Insufficiency	20 - 30	Mild to Insufficient **You are here**
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 cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Sardines	Sardines are a good source of Vitamin D, especially when consumed with the bones.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains small amounts of Vitamin D.
Shrimp	Shrimp contain some Vitamin D, especially when consumed in larger quantities.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Use of sunscreen	Sunscreen blocks UV rays that are needed for Vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Limited sunlight exposure	Insufficient exposure to sunlight, which is necessary for the skin to produce Vitamin D.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
Certain genetic factors	Certain genetic variations can impact how the body processes and uses Vitamin D.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.
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 24.0 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 24.0 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 24.0 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Fractures	Due to weakened bones, children with rickets are more prone to fractures even with minor injuries.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Irritability	Children with rickets might exhibit increased irritability and discomfort due to the physical pain they experience.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
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.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated 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.

Vitamin D level 24.0 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 24.0?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari

What is my Vitamin D deficiency score and how to calculate it?

Since your value of Vitamin D 24.0 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 : 24.0

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• OR
• Insufficient Physical Activity + Insufficient Dietary Intake + Obesity
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 9 and 13.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 24.0?

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 24.0 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.	1544 IU/d **(Represents a value in the range of 1000 - 2000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	2 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	3413 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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