WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?

Vitamin D deficiency can show up in subtle or serious ways, depending on how low the levels are and how long the deficiency lasts. Here are the common symptoms:

🔹 General Symptoms

• Persistent tiredness and fatigue
• Low energy or feeling sluggish
• Frequent infections (weakened immunity)
• Bone or joint pain (especially in the lower back, hips, legs)
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Slow wound healing

🔹 In Children

• Rickets (soft, weak bones, bowlegs)
• Growth delays
• Irritability or restlessness
• Delayed tooth eruption

🔹 In Adults

• Osteomalacia (soft bones leading to pain and fractures)
• Osteoporosis (thin, fragile bones)
• Bone tenderness, especially in the spine or legs
• Increased risk of falls in older adults

🔹 Mood and Brain-Related Symptoms

• Depression or low mood
• Memory problems or “brain fog”
• Increased risk of anxiety

🔹 Long-Term Risks

• Higher risk of chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders)
• Possible link to certain cancers (breast, colon, prostate)

👉 Many of these symptoms are nonspecific and can be mistaken for other conditions, which is why a blood test (25-hydroxyvitamin D test) is the best way to confirm deficiency.