Why would a doctor prescribe vitamin D?

“Vitamin D is commonly prescribed for hypoparathyroidism [a condition that causes calcium deficiency, muscle cramps and spasms, weakness, and fatigue],” says Dr. Lukyanovsky. “Doctors might also prescribe it for osteomalacia, a condition where there's a depletion of calcium from the bone.”

What is the symptom of low vitamin D?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight.

What conditions does vitamin D Treat?

Is vitamin D deficiency serious?

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.

When should I take prescription vitamin D?

How to use Weekly-D 1,250 Mcg (50,000 Unit) Capsule Vitamin D. Take vitamin D by mouth as directed. Vitamin D is best absorbed when taken after a meal but may be taken with or without food. Alfacalcidol is usually taken with food.

Vitamin D: The Miracle Supplement Video - Brigham and Women's Hospital

Does vitamin D give you energy?

Vitamin D is vital for making our muscles work efficiently and boosting energy levels, new research from Newcastle University has shown.

Is prescription vitamin D stronger than over-the-counter?

OTC Vitamin D (D3) More Effective Than Prescription Vitamin D (D2)

Why would vitamin D be low?

(Rickets; Osteomalacia) Vitamin D deficiency is most commonly caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight. Some disorders can also cause the deficiency. The most common cause is lack of exposure to sunlight, usually when the diet is deficient in vitamin D, but certain disorders can also cause the deficiency.

Does vitamin D cause weight gain?

Despite these findings, the current body of research suggests that consuming higher amounts of vitamin D has little effect on weight gain or loss.

Does low vitamin D cause weight gain?

Vitamin D deficiency can indirectly cause weight gain by increasing depression, instigating bone mass loss, and causing tiredness or fatigue.

Can lack of vitamin D cause anxiety?

Research indicates that there is a strong link between vitamin D deficiency and anxiety as well as depression. Individuals struggling with a mental illness may turn to problematic behavior to mask the pain.

Can low vitamin D cause neurological symptoms?

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that plays a role in many different functions in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can cause a number of neurological problems, including fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.

What happens if vitamin D is low in adults?

Vitamin D deficiency — when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low — can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function — and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer — but this is still being investigated.

Does vitamin D affect sleep?

Research links vitamin D levels to sleep quality. In fact, several studies associate low levels of vitamin D in your blood to a higher risk of sleep disturbances, poorer sleep quality and reduced sleep duration ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).

Does vitamin D affect hair?

One role vitamin D plays is stimulating new and old hair follicles. When there isn't enough vitamin D in your system, new hair growth can be stunted. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to alopecia, the autoimmune condition that causes bald patches on the scalp and other areas of the body.

What kind of conditions would you expect to see in someone with chronically low vitamin D levels?

Newer studies suggest low levels of vitamin D can be linked to numerous health problems including diabetes, pain in your muscles and bones, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and even some types of cancer. Studies of children receiving vitamin D supplements during the winter suggest a reduced risk of influenza A.

Does vitamin D Help weightloss?

"The present data indicate that in obese and overweight people with vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation aids weight loss and enhances the beneficial effects of a reduced-calorie diet," Vigna's team wrote. The researchers suggest that all overweight and obese people should have their vitamin D levels tested.

Does vitamin D Make You Happy?

Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression. A review of 7,534 people found that those experiencing negative emotions who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in symptoms.

Can lack of vitamin D cause dizziness?

Vitamin D deficiencies can also result in bone diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. But you may not be aware that if you're not getting enough vitamin D, you may also suffer from dizziness, headaches, and yes, low energy and fatigue.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in adults Mayo Clinic?

Severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency is known to cause bone mineralization disorders such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Conditions such as these can lead to soft bones, aching muscles, painful movement and fractures. Vitamin D deficiency also may contribute to osteoporosis.

What is the difference between prescription vitamin D and OTC vitamin D?

One difference between prescription and OTC vitamin D is that the prescription version is only available as D-2, or ergocalciferol. Many scientists believe that ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol are comparable in potency, but ergocalciferol is broken down more quickly in the body.

How strong is prescription vitamin D?

For people with a severe vitamin D deficiency confirmed in blood tests, some health care providers are prescribing a mega-dose: 50,000 IU vitamin D taken once a week for six to eight weeks.

Does vitamin D help with anxiety?

Vitamin D (VD) supplementation could improve the anxiety symptoms but not depressive symptoms in depressive patients with low VD level after the 6‐month intervention.

How does vitamin D make you feel?

While Vitamin D supplements may be taken, be careful not to overdo it. Too much of this fat-soluble vitamin can cause nausea, vomiting, itching, weakness, confusion, heart rhythm problems and kidney damage.