Do You Have a Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is present in some foods and also naturally produced by the body when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D has important roles in bone growth, cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and inflammation reduction. An estimated 1 billion people have low Vitamin D levels.

Each of the following is worth one point. Which of the following apply to you? 

1. insomnia 

2. irritability 

3. rapid and/or irregular heartbeat 

4. nearsightedness 

5. nosebleeds 

6. chronic diarrhea 

7. bone pain, especially in the legs 

8. chronic upper or lower back pain 

9. aching in the teeth 

10. frequent fractures 

12. premature graying of the hair 

13. scoliosis 

14. muscular rigidity 

15. muscle twitching 

16. muscle cramps and/or spasms

17. convulsions and/or seizures 

18. vague or migrating joint pain 

19. easy bruising 

20. soft teeth and/or tooth decay 

21. thinning of the bones 

22. chipping and/or cracking teeth 

23. arthritis 

24. delayed wound healing 

25. grinding of the teeth 

26. do you have psoriasis and/or eczema? 

27. Are you bedridden, or were you bedridden for prolonged periods in the past? 

28. Do you have fair skin? 

29. Do you avoid eating fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, mackerel, sardines, and herring? 

30. Are you a vegetarian? (If vegan, add 3 additional points) 

31. Do you avoid milk products because of allergy or other reasons? 

32. Do you have mitral valve prolapse and/or heart arrhythmias? 

33. Do you have colon or prostate cancer? 

34. Do you have high blood pressure? 

35. Do you have acne, pityriasis, and/or rosacea?

36. Do get little or no exposure to sunlight? 

37. Do you have liver or pancreatic disease? 

38. Do you take Dilantin or phenobarbital on a daily basis? 

39. Do you live in an area where there is heavy air pollution? 

40. Are you bowlegged?

41. Do you have excessively high or low serum calcium levels? 

42. Do you have a low serum phosphorous level? 

43. Do you adhere to a low-fat low-cholesterol diet? 

44. Do you have a history of duodenal ulcer, or has  your duodenum been removed? 

45. Do you take Tagamet, Zantac, and/or antacids on a regular basis?

46. Do you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance?

47. Do you suffer from muscular weakness?

48. Do you have difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

49. Do you have congestive heart failure or enlarged heart? 

50. Do you have gallstones, and or have you had your gallbladder removed? 

51. Do you have a chronic kidney disease?

52. Do you have a cholesterol level below 155 mg/dL?

53. Have you been diagnosed with Osgood Schlatter disease? 

54. Do you have bone cancer? 

55. Do you have a concave breast? 

Your score: _____ 

1-9 points: Mild vitamin D deficiency. 

10-21 points: Moderate vitamin D deficiency. 

22-34 points: Severe vitamin D deficiency. 

35 and above: Extreme vitamin D deficiency. 

Reversing a vitamin D deficiency is very doable, through medical nutrition therapy.  It requires a commitment and steady approach, which a Nutrolution RD can help you with.  We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare.  Call or contact us below to verify your nutrition benefits and get started on a personal nutrition program!

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(Holick, 2007). 

(Wang, et.al 2008). 

(Lee, et.al 2008). 

For more information, check out our research and references page here.