Why do I feel fatigued? If this is a question you ask yourself, it may be due to a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is made in the body but with the assistance of the sun. Additionally, if you are lacking sunlight, you can receive vitamin D from the foods you eat. Vitamin D is responsible for helping your body fight sickness, supporting strong teeth and bones, and much more. Continue reading to determine whether your body is lacking this important vitamin.
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
There are many indicators of low vitamin D levels in your body that you should pay attention to.
Without adequate vitamin D in your body, you can risk suffering from extreme health issues.
Here are four tell-tale signs of vitamin D deficiency:
- Exhaustion
- Depression
- Joint and bone pain
- Muscle cramps, pain, or frailty
If you have begun to experience any of the above signs, it is time to schedule an appointment with your physician. Your physician will probably measure the levels of vitamin D in your blood by performing a blood test. If your test shows that a vitamin D deficiency is present, your physician will probably have you take a vitamin D supplement or prescribe one to take.
If you are lacking vitamin D, you are putting your body at risk of developing many health issues, including osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Vitamin D Deficiency Causes
Many things can contribute to low levels of vitamin D in the body, such as aging, having a darker complexion, not getting enough sunlight, and even certain health conditions such as celiac disease, obesity, and even kidney disease.
Certain medications can also cause a vitamin D deficiency, such as those used to treat seizures, certain steroids, and even laxatives.
Fortunately, vitamin D deficiency is only temporary if you treat it. However, you must get to the root cause of your deficiency to be adequately treated. For example, if your deficiency is due to taking certain medications, your doctor may either switch your medication or prescribe you a higher dose of vitamin D. The goal is not only to increase your vitamin D levels but to keep them there. This is why you must be checked out by a doctor. If you are wondering when to take vitamin D, etc., your doctor will be able to offer the proper guidance.
Besides taking vitamin D supplements, you can easily attain vitamin D through foods that contain vitamin D, such as salmon, tuna, mushrooms, egg yolk, milk, yogurt, and orange juice.
As far as vitamin D supplements, they are available in either D2 or D3. D3 can be purchased at your local drugstore, while vitamin D2 pills will need to be prescribed by your doctor. Again, following an evaluation with your doctor, he or she will be able to determine the best route for you.
If you feel that your body is lacking vitamin D, or if you are suffering from extreme fatigue or any of the other above signs, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.