There aren’t many reliable symptoms of this deficiency. So ask your doctor about annual blood tests as you get older or if you fit into any of the risky categories.
Here are some things you can look for:
Fatigue
If you are tired all day, ask your doctor to monitor your blood levels (although there are other conditions that cause tiredness).
However, this can be one of the signs of vitamin D deficiency.
Muscle aches and cramps
In a scientific study, 71% of patients with chronic pain were vitamin D deficient. The vitamin D receptor is located in certain cells called nociceptors that feel pain.
A study in rats showed that vitamin D deficiency caused pain and tenderness. Some human studies have shown that taking vitamin D supplements has helped people with chronic pain. Remember, pain is the way your body signals that something is wrong.
Bone and lower back pain
Very low back pain is the result of a great deal of calcium loss from bone tissue, which is slow to develop.Contact your doctor immediately.
Getting frequent infections
Vitamin D interacts directly with cells in your body that are responsible for fighting infections. Scientific studies have shown a link between low vitamin D levels and respiratory infections such as colds, bronchitis, influenza, and pneumonia.
If you get sick frequently, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels.
Slow wound healing
Studies suggest that vitamin D increases the levels of compounds in your body that are responsible for the formation of new skin during wound healing. If you find that you are not healing well after an injury or surgery, ask your doctor to do a blood test and check your vitamin D levels.
Mood changes like depression
Scientists don’t exactly know why vitamin D is associated with depression, but there are many depressed patients who also have low vitamin D levels. The good news is that once the deficiency is corrected, depression also eases a bit.
Hair loss
Hair loss in women has been linked to low levels of vitamin D, but little scientific research has been done on this.
An autoimmune disease called alopecia areata causes severe hair loss on the head and other parts of the body. This disease is linked to rickets, which we said earlier is a symptom of severe vitamin D deficiency in children.
Vitamin D levels can be a risk factor for the disease. Ask your doctor to monitor your condition if you are losing hair and check for Vitamin D deficiency.