Vitamin D Deficiency Recovery

Vitamin D deficiency recovery can be quite long and difficult. It all depends on your condition and your response to vitamin D supplements. If you think that your therapy is not going very well, talk to your doctor. We will tell you more about vitamin D deficiency and the most common problems related to this condition. However, what you read here should not be considered a medical advice. Your doctor is the only person who can help you deal with vitamin D deficiency.

What Is Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by various factors. People who live in the northern areas can lack vitamin D because their sun exposure is limited. We know that vitamin D3 is produced in the skin, during the exposure to UV radiation. If you cannot get enough sunlight, your vitamin D levels are likely to get low. Dark skin needs to be exposed to sunrays longer. This can be a problem, if you live in a country where the weather is cold.

Although vitamin D3 is found in some foods – eggs, meat, fish and milk products – these sources cannot provide enough vitamin D. That is why it is important to spend enough time in the sun. This is the best way to get vitamin D. During the winter months, your sun exposure will be limited, of course. To prevent vitamin D levels from getting too low during this period, it will be wise to talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements.

How to Recover From Vitamin D Deficiency

If your vitamin D levels are low, your doctor will give you vitamin D supplements. The dosage and the form of supplements will depend on your condition. If you are severely deficient in vitamin D, your doctor may prescribe very large doses that can be taken once a week or once a month.

Some patients are advised to take vitamin D supplements every other day, or even every day. Again, this is individual and it always depends on a particular case.

In severe cases, the recovery may take months. The doses can be as high as 50,000 International Units.

Vitamin D deficiency can be very hard to diagnose, because the symptoms usually occur very late. A person can be deficient in vitamin D for a long time, without knowing about it. If you experience symptoms like fatigue, weakness, bone fractures, and pain, visit your doctor and check your vitamin D levels. If you feel tired and your energy levels are low (this usually happens in the winter), you may be deficient in vitamin D.

Based on the test results, you will be given vitamin D supplements (if needed). Your doctor will tell you what foods to consume and how much time to spend in the sun. If you cannot get any natural sun, you may consider using sun showers. Of course, this is something to discuss with your doctor. If you have sensitive skin, or you cannot use sun showers for any reason, you have to mention that to your doctor.

Even if you are given large doses, you should not be worried, because vitamin D overdose is rare (especially if your vitamin D levels are extremely low). In such cases, large doses are necessary to get your body back to normal.

If you are a vegetarian, you must find other natural sources of vitamin D. You can consume fortified breakfast cereals or energy bars that contain vitamin D. However, this will not be enough to satisfy your daily needs, so you will have to use supplements.