Vitamin D 5.5 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 5.5 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 5.5 mean?

A vitamin d level of 5.5 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 5.5 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 5.5 is 13.7 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 5.5 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 5.5. you are classified as having a severe Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Levels

Category	Level (ng/mL)	Description
Severe Deficiency	< 10	Severely low vitamin D levels **You are here**
Moderate Deficiency	10 - 20	Moderate Vitamin D Deficiency
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
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Goat cheese	Goat cheese provides Vitamin D and is a dairy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.
Almond milk	Some almond milk products are fortified with Vitamin D.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Herring	Herring is a fatty fish that can contribute to Vitamin D intake.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Certain autoimmune diseases	Autoimmune disorders may interfere with Vitamin D metabolism and utilization.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Alcoholism	Excessive alcohol consumption can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism, including Vitamin D.
HIV/AIDS	The virus and certain treatments can affect nutrient absorption and utilization, leading to deficiency.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.
Malabsorption disorders	Conditions like celiac disease can affect the body's ability to absorb Vitamin D from the digestive tract.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 5.5 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 5.5 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 5.5 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
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.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
Difficulty Breathing	In severe cases, rickets can cause deformities of the ribcage, leading to difficulty in breathing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.

Vitamin D level 5.5 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Dental Problems	Osteomalacia can affect the teeth, leading to enamel defects and other dental issues.
Difficulty Climbing Stairs	Muscle weakness and bone pain can make climbing stairs difficult for those with osteomalacia.
Fatigue	Generalized fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of osteomalacia.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 5.5?

Level	Risk
Your value is Less Than 25	Increased risk of fallsBischoff-Ferrari
Your value is Less Than 10	40% more risk of mortality compared to those with vitamin d above 40Ginde AA
Your value is Less Than 8	More risk of cardiovascular mortality than those with a median vitamin d of 28Dobnig H
Your value is Less Than 15	Two fold higher risk of having high blood pressure as those with Vitamin D above 26Reis JP
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 5.5 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 : 5.5

• You get less than 1.75 hours of sunlight per day
• AND
• Insufficient Dietary Intake
• AND
• Obesity
• AND
• Insufficient Exercise
• Score : Your Vitamin D Insufficiency Score ranges between 14 - 18.

What is the treatment plan for a Vitamin D level of 5.5?

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 5.5 the relevant supplement dosages are indicated below.^{Pawel Pludowski}

Recommended Daily Dosing for Vitamin D in cases where the Vitamin D Level is < 10 ng/dl

Age Group	Vitamin D Intake Per Day	Duration
Infants < 1 month	1000 IU/d	3 months
Infants 1–12 months	2000 IU/d	3 months
Children 1–11 yrs.	4403 IU/d**(Represents a value in the range of 3000 - 6000, must be adjusted as per patient.)	3 months
Children 11–18 yrs.	6000 IU/d	3 months
Adults	6000 IU/d	3 months

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