{"id":313828,"date":"2025-10-18T16:26:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T16:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/313828\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T16:26:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T16:26:14","slug":"5-vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms-according-to-science","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/313828\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms, According to Science"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in strong, healthy bones. It also helps your body absorb calcium, aids your immune system, regulates cell growth, and reduces inflammation (which may, in turn, increase your risk of high blood pressure<\/a> and diabetes<\/a>), Michael Holick, M.D.<\/a>, endocrinologist and vitamin D expert, said. So identifying signs of a vitamin D deficiency before it gets serious is key to feeling better, sooner. <\/p>\n

Meet the expert: Michael Holick, M.D.<\/a>, endocrinologist and vitamin D expert<\/p>\n

It\u2019s called the sunshine vitamin for a reason. According to the National Institute of Health<\/a> (NIH), many of us don\u2019t get enough vitamin D<\/a> in our diets. Unlike other nutrients (like calcium and vitamin A<\/a>) few foods naturally contain it. So we rely on the sun\u2019s rays to provide it.<\/p>\n

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms
<\/p>\n

Here are the main signs of vitamin D deficiency, plus expert tips for getting enough of the nutrient.<\/p>\n

Fatigue<\/p>\n

Exhaustion is the number-one sign of a vitamin D deficiency. So if you\u2019re feeling tired\u2014even when you\u2019ve gotten enough sleep\u2014it may be worth letting your doctor know. <\/p>\n

Research has shown<\/a> that many patients who feel exhausted are low on vitamin D. And when you boost their vitamin D levels, they report feeling happier<\/a> and more energetic. Vitamin D is also associated with strength, performance, and balance<\/a>. Getting more of the nutrient has been shown<\/a> to improve muscle strength and reduce falls, especially in older adults<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sweat<\/p>\n

Another sign is sweating more than usual. That extra perspiration may be a sign you\u2019re low on vitamin D, especially if your activity level, body temperature, and environment have all stayed the same.<\/p>\n

Dr. Holick said a sweaty forehead is often one of the first noticeable symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, especially in newborns (who can\u2019t report symptoms like weakness or fatigue). The same holds true for adults. So if you\u2019re sweating a lot, consider getting your vitamin D levels checked. <\/p>\n

Anxiety or depression<\/p>\n

Research has linked low vitamin D levels with both depression<\/a> and anxiety<\/a>. So if you catch yourself feeling down, worried, or all-around worse than usual, talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n

One study<\/a> found that people who were deficient in vitamin D were 75% more likely to develop depression than those who got enough of the nutrient. Other research<\/a> has linked low vitamin D and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that happens seasonally\u2014usually during the winter, when there\u2019s less sun and light.<\/p>\n

Aches and pains<\/p>\n

Soreness isn\u2019t always a red flag. But if you experience joint pains or muscle aches that last for several weeks, ask your doctor if low vitamin D may be to blame.<\/p>\n

Dr. Holick said that vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteomalacia, a condition where your bones become softer and weaker. \u201cIt\u2019s often subtle, but some experience aches and pains in the bones,\u201d he said. Being low on vitamin D is also associated with<\/a> arthritis<\/a>. And getting enough of the nutrient has been shown<\/a> to relieve pain in people with fibromyalgia.<\/p>\n

Weak bones <\/p>\n

Since vitamin D helps build healthy bones, frequently breaking your bones is a sign you may be low on the nutrient. <\/p>\n

In children, vitamin D deficiency is associated with rickets<\/a>. And in adults, it can lead to osteoporosis<\/a>. Both conditions weaken and soften your bones, making them fragile and easy to break. Osteoporosis can progress without obvious symptoms, so unless you screen for it, you may not realize you have it until you break a bone. <\/p>\n

How to get vitamin D<\/p>\n

The sun, your diet, and supplementation are effective methods getting vitamin D.<\/p>\n

Sun exposure<\/p>\n

Stepping out in the sun offers a dose of vitamin D. But how much you get may vary depending on time of day, cloud cover, and season, according to the NIH. Plus, sun exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer<\/a>, so the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)<\/a> recommends getting as much vitamin D as you can through your diet. <\/p>\n

Diet<\/p>\n

Vitamin D is naturally found in just a few foods. These include:<\/p>\n