Vitamin D 9.8 ng/ml means : causes, sources, risks, treatment

In this article we discuss what a Vitamin D value of 9.8 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 9.8 mean?

A vitamin d level of 9.8 is considered to be deficient.

What is my Vitamin D level in SI units, for value of 9.8 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 9.8 is 24.5 nmol/L

Is a Vitamin D value of 9.8 considered low or high?

Based on your Vitamin D value of 9.8. 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
Fortified plant-based milk	Non-dairy milk alternatives (e.g., almond, soy) are often fortified with Vitamin D.
Lamb	Lamb meat contains 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.
Beef liver	Organ meats like beef liver contain Vitamin D, though levels can vary.
Tofu	Some tofu products are fortified with Vitamin D, especially those made from soy milk.
Canned tuna	Canned tuna, especially if it's canned with bones, can be a source of Vitamin D.
Canned salmon	Canned salmon, especially with bones, provides a convenient source of Vitamin D.
Sunlight exposure	The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)	Fatty fish are excellent sources of Vitamin D, particularly wild-caught species.
Fortified cereals	Many cereals are enriched with Vitamin D to improve nutritional content.

What are the causes of Vitamin D deficiency?

Cause	Description
Certain types of cancer	Some cancers and their treatments can impact Vitamin D levels and metabolism.
Inflammatory bowel disease	Conditions like Crohn's disease can impair nutrient absorption, including Vitamin D.
Crohn's disease	An inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies.
Premature birth	Premature infants may have underdeveloped systems for producing and utilizing Vitamin D.
Obesity	Vitamin D is stored in fat tissues, so higher body fat levels may decrease its availability.
Living in high latitudes	At higher latitudes, the angle of sunlight is lower, leading to reduced Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Multiple sclerosis	People with multiple sclerosis often have lower Vitamin D levels, although the relationship is complex.
Liver diseases	Liver disorders can affect the conversion of Vitamin D into its active form.
Gastric bypass surgery	Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system can limit the absorption of nutrients, including Vitamin D.
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 9.8 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 9.8 the symptoms are enlisted in the table below:

Vitamin D level 9.8 Symptoms in Children

Symptom	Description
Curvature of the Spine	Rickets can contribute to spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphosis (excessive forward curvature of the upper spine).
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.
Delayed Walking	Some children with rickets may experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, like walking.
Weak or Soft Bones	Rickets can cause bones to become weak and soft, leading to an increased risk of fractures.
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.
Muscle Cramps	Vitamin D deficiency associated with rickets can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Bone Pain	Children with rickets often complain of bone pain, which can be especially pronounced in the legs, pelvis, and spine.
Wide Fontanelles	The soft spots on a baby's skull, known as fontanelles, might take longer to close in cases of rickets.

Vitamin D level 9.8 Symptoms in Adults

Symptom	Description
Muscle Cramps	Deficiencies in bone mineralization and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramps and spasms.
Weight Loss	Some individuals with osteomalacia may experience weight loss due to the overall impact on health.
Difficulty Standing	Weak bones and muscles can make it challenging to stand for prolonged periods.
Waddling Gait	A waddling gait may develop due to weakened hip and leg muscles associated with osteomalacia.
Bone Tenderness	Bones affected by osteomalacia can become tender to the touch.
Chest Deformities	In severe cases, osteomalacia can lead to deformities in the ribs and chest.
Tingling or Numbness	Nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness can occur as a result of osteomalacia.
Easy Bruising	Weakened bones and blood vessels can lead to easy bruising in individuals with osteomalacia.
Short Stature	In childhood cases, untreated osteomalacia can result in short stature and growth delays.
Muscle Weakness	Muscle weakness can result from the lack of proper mineralization in the bones caused by osteomalacia.

What additional risks do I face with a Vitamin D level of 9.8?

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 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 9.8 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 : 9.8

• 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 9.8?

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 9.8 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.	4918 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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