Vitamin D 6.9 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 6.9 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 6.9 mean?

A vitamin d level of 6.9 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 6.9 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 6.9 is 17.2 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 6.9 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 6.9. 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
Cheese	Certain types of cheese, like Swiss and cheddar, contain small amounts of Vitamin D.
Canned mackerel	Canned mackerel, like fresh mackerel, is a good source of Vitamin D.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Mushrooms	Some mushrooms exposed to UV light can produce Vitamin D2.
Salmon skin	Salmon skin contains some Vitamin D, but it's recommended to consume the flesh for better nutrient balance.
Oysters	Oysters provide Vitamin D and other nutrients, though levels can vary.
Mackerel	Mackerel is a fatty fish with high Vitamin D content.
Bluefin tuna	Bluefin tuna is a fatty fish that contains high levels of Vitamin D.
Fortified orange juice	Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with Vitamin D to increase its nutritional value.
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Chronic kidney disease	Kidney dysfunction can disrupt the activation of Vitamin D, leading to deficiency.
Dark skin	Higher melanin levels in dark skin reduce the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D from sunlight.
Celiac disease	An autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and impairs nutrient absorption.
Lack of fortified foods	A diet lacking in fortified dairy products or cereals may lead to lower Vitamin D intake.
Strict vegan or vegetarian diet	Limited intake of animal products, which are sources of Vitamin D, can contribute to deficiency.
Older age	As people age, their skin becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into Vitamin D.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Certain hormonal disorders	Hormonal imbalances can influence Vitamin D metabolism and its effects on the body.
Osteoporosis	Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and deficiency can contribute to conditions like osteoporosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	People with COPD may have limited outdoor activities and altered Vitamin D metabolism.

What symptoms will I experience with a Vitamin D of 6.9 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 6.9 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 6.9 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.
Fatigue	Chronic pain and muscle weakness can result in increased fatigue and reduced activity levels.
Delayed Teething	Children with rickets might experience delays in the eruption of their teeth.
Brittle Nails	Rickets can cause nails to become brittle and prone to breaking.
Enlarged Joints	Swelling and tenderness in the joints can occur as a result of rickets.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
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 Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from compromised bone health and nutritional deficiencies associated with rickets.

Vitamin D level 6.9 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Joint Pain	Osteomalacia-related muscle and bone weakness can result in joint pain and discomfort.
Difficulty Walking	Muscle and bone weakness can make walking and moving difficult for individuals with osteomalacia.
Depression	Chronic pain and physical limitations in osteomalacia can contribute to feelings of depression.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Bone Deformities	Osteomalacia can lead to bone deformities, such as bowed legs or a curvature of the spine.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
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.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 6.9?

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 6.9 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 : 6.9

• 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 6.9?

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 6.9 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.	4229 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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