Page 27 - Waterfall City Issue 3 March 2025

deficiency may present with bone
discomfort or pain in the lower back,
pelvis, or lower extremities, and could
experience falls and impaired physical
function, muscle aches, proximal
muscle weakness and symmetric
lower back pain, that is, pain on
both sides.

If a person suspects they
are vitamin D deficient,
I recommend discussing
testing with a healthcare
practitioner such as your GP, an
endocrinologist or nephrologist. A
medical referral is required for the test,
as the result needs to be interpreted
with the patient’s history and managed
holistically. A thorough evaluation
should be done before medication or
supplementation is prescribed.

In addition, some people may also
need a more detailed evaluation
including calcium, magnesium,
phosphate, 1.25 hydroxy vitamin D and
parathyroid levels tests.

Dietary sources of vitamin D include
sardines, cod liver oil, salmon,
tuna, egg yolks, beef liver and
fortified cereals or plant-based dairy
alternatives, although diet alone may
not be sufficient and lifestyle changes
may be advised along with either
short- or long-term supplements
prescribed.
innate immunity, which is the body’s for deficiency in susceptible groups,
first response to fighting off harmful including people who are malnourished, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that
pathogens, and may therefore assist in have a sedentary lifestyle, limited sun can be stored and may build up in the
protecting against respiratory illness. exposure, are obese, have dark skin, body. If vitamin D levels become too
Conversely, vitamin D deficiency might are over the age of 65, and individuals high, this can cause hypercalcaemia, a
be related to an increase in autoimmune with conditions causing gastrointestinal condition in which blood calcium levels
diseases. malabsorption, liver disease or failure, become too high. This may present as
renal insufficiency, fibrosis and those nausea, dehydration, constipation, or
People with diabetes and prediabetes taking medications that alter vitamin D symptoms of hypercalciuria, such as
can also benefit from identifying vitamin metabolism. needing to urinate more frequently or
D deficiency, as it has a role in insulin in greater volumes, and kidney stones.
regulation too. Potential symptoms
Most people with vitamin D deficiency It is therefore important to have levels
Such is the importance of vitamin D to do not experience symptoms and are checked regularly, especially if you are
overall health that some international probably unaware of the issue. Those taking supplements, as a vitamin D
societies have suggested screening who have a severe and prolonged overdose can be harmful.

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