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What Causes Severely Low Vitamin D Levels?
Question: What factors may contribute to a severely low vitamin d number?
Brief Answer:
Most commonly diet or sun exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Factors which can contribute to low Vit D are:
1. Reduced Vit D intake in diet. - (Fish oil - salmon, Sardines, Mackarel, Tuna, Cod liver oil, Egg yolk - All are rich in Vit D, Fortified Vit D and Vit D supplements)
2. Inadequate sun exposure - Even with good diet, if sun exposure is inadequate - will develop Vit D deficiency. Additionally sun screen, pigmented skin and aging
3. Inability to absorb Vit D from intestines - Intestinal malabsorption disorders or surgeries specifically bypass surgeries
4. Obesity - sequestration of Vit D in diet
5. Kidney or liver disease complicating processing of Vit D
6. Medications like anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, and HIV treatment.
7. Hereditary disorders like Vit D dependent or resistant rickets, autosomal dominant or X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.
8. Hyperthyroidism
9. Tumor induced osteomalacia, primary hyperparathyroidism, or Granulomatous disorders like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis etc.
10. Some types of lymphomas can also cause.
Hope it helps. I think I have covered the whole list.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Most commonly diet or sun exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Factors which can contribute to low Vit D are:
1. Reduced Vit D intake in diet. - (Fish oil - salmon, Sardines, Mackarel, Tuna, Cod liver oil, Egg yolk - All are rich in Vit D, Fortified Vit D and Vit D supplements)
2. Inadequate sun exposure - Even with good diet, if sun exposure is inadequate - will develop Vit D deficiency. Additionally sun screen, pigmented skin and aging
3. Inability to absorb Vit D from intestines - Intestinal malabsorption disorders or surgeries specifically bypass surgeries
4. Obesity - sequestration of Vit D in diet
5. Kidney or liver disease complicating processing of Vit D
6. Medications like anticonvulsants, glucocorticoids, and HIV treatment.
7. Hereditary disorders like Vit D dependent or resistant rickets, autosomal dominant or X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.
8. Hyperthyroidism
9. Tumor induced osteomalacia, primary hyperparathyroidism, or Granulomatous disorders like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis etc.
10. Some types of lymphomas can also cause.
Hope it helps. I think I have covered the whole list.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for this very complete list.What should the next step be?
Brief Answer:
Serum Vit D levels necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
The next step would be dependent on your Vit D levels. If it has returned to normal, you can continue on a weekly dose.
If it has not returned and is still as before start of treatment, cause needs to be evaluated.
Take a diet rich in Vit D as suggested above and get adequate exposure to sunlight. This should help.
Hope there is no liver or renal dysfunction.
However, to comment further - I would require more clinical details and reports and present Vit D serum levels.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Serum Vit D levels necessary.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
The next step would be dependent on your Vit D levels. If it has returned to normal, you can continue on a weekly dose.
If it has not returned and is still as before start of treatment, cause needs to be evaluated.
Take a diet rich in Vit D as suggested above and get adequate exposure to sunlight. This should help.
Hope there is no liver or renal dysfunction.
However, to comment further - I would require more clinical details and reports and present Vit D serum levels.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you! I will go for a repeat blood test and get back to you with the results.
Much appreciation!
Much appreciation!
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for replying.
You are welcome. Hope your Vit D levels are within normal limits. If it is, you can improve with diet and weekly supplements.
Do get back with test reports, if you have any further query.
Dr. Jyothi BL
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for replying.
You are welcome. Hope your Vit D levels are within normal limits. If it is, you can improve with diet and weekly supplements.
Do get back with test reports, if you have any further query.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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