Vitamin D 6.0 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 6.0 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 6.0 mean?

A vitamin d level of 6.0 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 6.0 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 6.0 is 15.0 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 6.0 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 6.0. 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
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Fortified dairy products	Milk, yogurt, and cheese are often fortified with Vitamin D to increase intake.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Trout	Trout can provide Vitamin D, particularly when caught in the wild.
Halibut	Halibut is a fish that contains moderate levels of Vitamin D.
Egg yolks	Egg yolks contain small amounts of Vitamin D, especially if the hens are raised on Vitamin D-enriched feed.
Pork chops	Pork chops contain Vitamin D, particularly if they include the bone.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.

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.
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.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.
Being homebound or institutionalized	Limited exposure to sunlight due to confinement indoors can lead to deficiency.
Cystic fibrosis	Individuals with cystic fibrosis are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to malabsorption.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 6.0 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 6.0 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 6.0 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Dental Problems	Rickets can affect the development of teeth, leading to dental issues such as delayed eruption and enamel defects.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
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.
Delayed Puberty	In severe cases, rickets can delay the onset of puberty due to its impact on bone and overall development.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
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.

Vitamin D level 6.0 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Fractures	Brittle and weak bones due to osteomalacia increase the risk of fractures even with minor injuries.
Bone Pain	Osteomalacia often leads to bone pain, particularly in the hips, lower back, and legs.
Delayed Healing	Fractures and injuries may take longer to heal due to impaired bone mineralization in osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Frequent Infections	Impaired bone health can weaken the immune system, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 6.0?

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 6.0 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 : 6.0

• 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 6.0?

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 6.0 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.	5731 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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