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What Causes Low Vit D Level Inspite Of Having Proper Diet And Sun Exposure?

Posted on Wed, 11 Jun 2014

Question: I had a lot of muscle, bone pain along with sever fatigue for over a month, I just found out my Vitamine D level in blood was low and prescribed mega dose of Vitamine D suppliment. (50,000 unit, 1.25mg ince a week). I have eaten a lot of Vitamine D containing food and get enought sun exposure (I live northeastern US) for many years naturally in my life. I am atopic and have environmental allergy (Found out in Feburuary from my ongong hives) My doctor tested Thyroid, and menopausal stage, it looks normal. CBC also came out normal. urine exam was fine too. I have not checked up parathyroid, but if I was active, going out of the sun well, and ate Vitamine D rich food occasionally, still my age (I am 51) affects to make Vitamine D deficiency in me? What are the other possible reasons why my vitamine D level is low?

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (5 hours later)

Brief answer....given below
Detailed answer.....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I can understand your dilemma that why have you been deficient inspite of having proper diet and proper sun exposure.It is because a persons vitamin D level is affected by their diet, their ability to actually absorb the vitamin D that they eat, and the amount of sun their skin can absorb (which is determined by factors like where they live in the world, the seasonal variation in sun intensity, and their skin color).

Only UVB sun rays make vitamin D. UVB is the most cancer causing part of sunlight; they are the mid day 10 am to 3 pm mid summer rays that doctors normally caution people to avoid. Winter sun and morning or late afternoon sun has very little UVB and thus won’t really help with your vitamin D production.

So in effect a person can become deficient in VIT D levels even after receiving enough sun.
The best way to replenish your deficient levels is to take VIT D supplement and carry on.
Keep taking your VIT D as suggested by your doctor.
I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX I understand your point. I will try my best to increase my sun exposure, I am Japanese, my skin tone is darker, My skin get darker quickly under the sun. As you also mentined ability to absorb vitamine D would be different in individual, would it be hard to predict how long the Vitamine D therapy I am currenly on startsworking and improve my symptoms?
It may take few months to a year to get your VIT D levels appropriately replenished.
Carry on with your supplements and required sun exposure.
Thanks

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (29 hours later)

Hello,
Carry on with your treatment and you should be all right soon.
You are most welcome to ask any query any time.
Best of luck
Thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar