Despite its name, vitamin D isn’t a vitamin — it’s a hormone produced in your kidneys. You can get vitamin D from egg yolks, fatty fish, and fortified foods like milk and orange juice. Your skin can also produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but that’s tricky — overexposure can damage your skin, and sunscreen can prevent vitamin D production.
How can you ensure that you have enough vitamin D, how much is enough, and how do you know if you’re running low?
At The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas, we see patients struggling with unusual symptoms linked to vitamin D deficiency. This often-overlooked issue can sneak up on you, as the signs may not be immediately apparent.
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
Occasional fatigue is normal, but if you’re struggling to get through the day no matter how much you rest, low vitamin D levels could be contributing. Vitamin D helps your cells produce energy, so when your levels are low, fatigue can creep in and sap you.
Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium and regulates your muscle contractions. A deficiency may result in muscle aches, reduced strength, or cramps. If you’ve noticed persistent, unexplained muscle discomfort, it might be time to check your vitamin D levels.
Are you catching every cold going around the office? Low vitamin D could be wrecking your immune system and your body’s ability to fend off infections like the flu, colds, or other viruses.
Vitamin D is often nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because sunlight triggers its production, and it makes you feel “sunny” by elevating serotonin levels in your brain. Research shows that a deficiency in vitamin D could contribute to depression, anxiety, or mood swings.
Because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, it’s essential for bone health. Without enough vitamin D, bone density can decrease, leading to a condition called osteomalacia. Weakness in your bones can cause unexplained back pain or even lead to fractures.
If you’re finding it hard to lose weight despite maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits, low levels of vitamin D may be part of the problem. Studies show links between vitamin D deficiency and weight gain, though the exact relationship is still under investigation.
While stress and genetics often cause hair loss, a severe vitamin D deficiency can contribute to alopecia, an autoimmune condition that results in patchy hair loss. Vitamin D supports hair follicle health, so inadequate levels may reduce new hair growth.
If you struggle with cuts and scrapes that seem to take forever to heal, low vitamin D could be the culprit because it helps in producing compounds critical to the formation of new skin. Slow-healing wounds could indicate a deficiency that affects your body’s natural recovery processes.
There may be a connection between vitamin D deficiency and increased blood pressure. Vitamin D works to regulate blood vessel relaxation, and insufficient levels may contribute to hypertension.
Calcium makes for strong bones and teeth, so a deficiency in vitamin D, which hinders calcium absorption, can weaken your teeth, increasing your risk of cavities and tooth decay. It can also contribute to gum inflammation, leading to periodontitis.
When you see the experienced team at The Endocrine Center, we start with a thorough evaluation and a simple blood test to check your vitamin D levels.
If we identify a deficiency, we develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include over-the-counter or prescription supplements to bring your levels back to normal. We also advise you on making dietary changes to get more vitamin D from your meals.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs described above, call The Endocrine Center at one of our Houston offices today or request an appointment online.
