Vitamin D is one of those key vitamins that can cause a feeling that something is “off.” It’s easy to overlook signs of low vitamin D levels or blame them on something else, but considering 29% percent of U.S. adults are deficient1 in vitamin D and a whopping 42% are insufficient, it’s highly possible suboptimal vitamin D status is the root of your seemingly unrelated symptoms. Research has identified a link between fatigue and low vitamin D levels. In a 2019 study published in EPMA Journal, 90% of multiple sclerosis patients2 were also found to be vitamin D deficient. After improving their vitamin D status, their quality of life improved and their fatigue subsided. Achiness and a general feeling of being unwell are often connected to fatigue. These symptoms, along with other signs of low vitamin D (e.g., low mood or getting sick often) can add up—especially in winter when everything already feels kind of depressing and “blah.” Maybe you stayed up late this week catching up on White Lotus and you’re blaming your sleepiness on that. Or, you’ve recently started traveling again, and you’re blaming your feeling of being unwell and general struggle to get back into your work schedule on jetlag. While these symptoms can easily be attributed to other factors (illness, chronic stress, poor sleep health, etc.), experiencing them together almost 24/7 indicates it might be time to get your vitamin D levels checked. Here are some symptoms associated with low vitamin D levels: When you get your results back, you’ll also need to know how to interpret them. Understanding your vitamin D levels can help you know what steps to take to achieve truly optimal vitamin D levels. While some view 30 ng/ml as the goal, many experts—including board-certified endocrinologist Brittany Henderson, M.D. and nutrition scientist Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN—recommend striving for vitamin D levels above 50 ng/ml. “We are consistently undertreating patients when we stop at 30 ng/ml,” Henderson previously told mindbodygreen. “Our population is heavily vitamin D deficient and targeting an optimal level of 50 ng/ml has an enormous impact on all aspects of human health.” Because there are a limited number of food sources that provide vitamin D and it’s insanely difficult to get enough from the sun itself (especially during the winter), taking a vitamin D supplement is the way to help you achieve and maintain healthy vitamin D levels (you can find mindbodygreen’s top vitamin D supplement picks here). So, here’s your nudge to action—get your D levels tested. If they’re under 50 ng/ml, it’s time to address your levels with supplementation. And on that note, I’m going to take my supplement (good thing I keep it on my desk!).
