Low Vitamin D symptoms female: What to Watch For

Vitamin D is one of the most vital nutrients for health and wellness; particularly, women require it to help distribute calcium and phosphate in the body to maintain their bones, teeth, and the muscles. The unfortunate fact is that most women suffer from low vitamin D levels unknowingly.

Low vitamin D symptoms in females may not be apparent soon, but when they are evident, they will surely impair your health with time. Informed knowledge about the symptoms and danger of Vitamin D deficiency helps avoid this deficiency, thereby providing adequate intake of Vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin whose production in the human body is initiated by exposure to sunlight. Unlike all the other vitamins, it is produced naturally by the body as a result of exposure of skin to ultraviolet B rays of the sun.

Vitamin D can also be derived from certain foods and supplements. Getting adequate vitamin D through diet alone, however is difficult so both sunlight and supplements are being relied upon to assure adequate levels of this vital nutrient.

Vitamin D can help your body make better use of calcium, which helps you grow strong bones and avoid fractures. Vitamin D is also helpful in maintaining immunity, reducing inflammation, and even mental health.

However, some people suffer from deficiency of vitamin D due to the location of residence that offers scarce sunlight or by people with darker skin, as the higher layers of the skin require more sunlight to produce the vitamin D.

Why Women More Susceptible to Vitamin D Deficiency

Women are more vulnerable to deficiency in vitamin D than men. Women are more likely to maintain a low level of vitamin D than men, especially as they get older.

Other factors that affect the body's functionality of absorption or production of vitamin D include hormonal changes to which nearly all women are predisposed during pregnancy and menopause and when on oral contraceptives.

In addition, lifestyles like having much time indoors, heavy sunscreen usage, and living in areas with very low sun exposure can be factors in having low levels of vitamin D.

Darker skinned women also suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to increased melanin in their skin, which makes their body have less ability to form vitamin D from UV light.

Other risk factors include strict covering of the skin for religious or cultural reasons and adhering to a vegan or vegetarian diet that eschews fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy foods.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency in Women

Vitamin D deficiency is not easy to detect as its symptoms are vague and develop slowly. The symptoms of low vitamin D in women may include various body systems as symptoms may resemble other conditions, and the condition may be determined only with a blood test. Among the most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are:

1. Fatigue and Low Energy

The primary and most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in women include fatigue or a lack of energy. A decline in the level of vitamin D in females can weaken the production function of mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells which generates energy. In this regard, women may also feel very tired and lethargic even after sleeping for an entire night.

2. Muscle Weakness and Pain

Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin for muscle health. Women who have low levels of vitamin D may have muscle weakness and pain in the legs, arms, and back.

In its extreme, weak muscles can hamper the flow of daily mobility and activity. Over time, low vitamin D may cause falls and fractures from weakened muscles and bones.

3. Bone and Joint Pain

Since vitamin D is so crucial in the absorption of calcium, dietary deficiency can lead to weakening of bones and a higher incidence of bone ache.

It may present as deep aching in the bones or joints often involving the spinal column, hips, and knees. People afflicted with long-term deficiency are likely to suffer from osteoporosis, a state of weak brittle bones, thereby increasing the possibility of fractures.

4. Mood Changes and Depression

Studies have been conducted linking vitamin D deficiency with mood disorders, like depression. Vitamin D receptors have been found in areas of the brain controlling mood, and depression-like symptoms may seem to increase with the lack of vitamin D. Women who continually display unhappiness or irritability or appear worried are likely suffering from a deficiency of vitamin D.

5. Hair Loss

Low vitamin D levels in women cause hair thinning. Women have thinner hair due to a lack of vitamin D because it affects normal hair follicle functioning. A study was conducted that shows most people with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease resulting in patchy hair loss, have relatively low vitamin D levels.

6. Susceptibility to Infections

Vitamin D contributes significantly in maintaining an effective immune system. Women with deficient levels of vitamin D tend to get ill more readily or even take much longer to recover from infections.

Vitamin D deficiency has long been associated with higher susceptibility to respiratory infections such as colds, flu, and bronchitis and autoimmune diseases.

7. Cognitive Impairment

Low vitamin D levels in women are recognized to cause cognitive impairment and memory disorders particularly as the women grow old.

Vitamin D deficiency may give rise to a greater propensity to develop dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. Women who experience problems with memory, concentration, or judgment should consider vitamin D tests.

What Causes Vitamin D Deficiency?

There are several reasons leading to vitamin D deficiency in women. These include:

1. Insufficient Sun Exposure

The main reason for vitamin D deficiency is insufficient sun exposure.

Sunlight exposure induces the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin, and women living in areas with several months of winter, high pollution levels, or short daylight hours cannot therefore acquire enough sun exposure to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D.

There is also sunscreen, which, although very important in terms of protecting the skin, also counters UVB rays as well as the body's production of vitamin D.

2. Age

As women grow older, their skin is less efficient in producing vitamin D from UV rays and the kidneys are weaker at converting vitamin D to its active form. That is why the elderly women, especially those who are over 50 years of age, are at higher risk of having vitamin D deficiency.

3. Diet

Dietary intake helps to maintain levels of this vitamin. Very few foods occur naturally with vitamin D, so women who eat very limited diets or avoid vitamin D-containing foods, such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks, will not obtain sufficient vitamin D from dietary intake.

4. Medical Conditions

Certain diseases-don't medications have side effects? Some of these include celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and many diseases of the liver or kidney.

These diseases can interfere with the body's ability to absorb or metabolize vitamin D, resulting in deficiency People suffering from any of these diseases should also be particularly watchful about their vitamin D levels and supplement if needed.

5. Obesity

Research has indicated that obese females suffer more from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it's stored within the cells of the fat.

There are some people with higher body fat, where vitamin D becomes sequestered in the fat and thus less available to the body. Low circulating levels of vitamin D in the blood can, therefore, be caused by this condition.

Preventing and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency

The best news is that vitamin D deficiency can be prevented and treated. Here are some ways women can ensure they receive enough vitamin D:

1. Get More Sunlight

The easiest way to improve vitamin D levels is through some extensive exposure to sunlight. Amounts of midday sun exposure for women are recommended at 10-30 minutes a few times per week, depending on the skin type, location, and season of time.

Natural production of vitamin D through exposure to sunlight requires a balance with measures of skin protection for the risk of damaging the skin.

2. Intake of Foods Rich in Vitamin D

It is hard to have sufficient intake of vitamin D through diet. Nonetheless, incorporating foods rich in vitamin D into the diet may help in enhancing vitamin D concentration.

Some of the good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), egg yolks, fortified milk, and orange juice.

3. Vitamin D Supplements

For women with limited intake of vitamin D through sunlight or diet, vitamin D supplements provide an alternative means of keeping levels of the healthy vitamin D.

This will be prescribed by your doctor. Adult dosing is usually from 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D per day. Most adults are deficient, which implies that most adults on a supplement dose are taking much higher amounts.

4. Get Your Vitamin D Levels Tested

If you suspect you have vitamin D deficiency, you should consult a healthcare provider, and your vitamin D levels will then be checked.

A simple blood test can help to calculate your body's vitamin D level, and through this result, you can compare it with the recommended level of your doctor to become advisable to adjust if you haven't reached your healthy range yet.

5. Manage Health Conditions

Women with disorders that affect vitamin D absorption such as gastrointestinal diseases should maintain close communication with their healthcare providers in order to manage and monitor these health conditions as well as monitor their vitamin D status.

In some patients, higher doses of vitamin D supplements are required.

Conclusion

In summary, the function of the immune system and the general state of health. Deficiency in vitamin D in females can include some or all of the following: fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, mood swings, hair loss, and many more.

Women, particularly those who are predisposed by lifestyle, age, or medical condition, should know and take the necessary steps to ensure optimal levels of this vitamin D.

And by coupling this with sufficient sunlight, diet, and supplementary support, women can prevent this potentially hazardous deficiency and live a healthy life.

* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).