Low Vitamin D Associated with Increased Risk of Death
August 18, 2008 by Sandy Robinson
Filed under Vitamin D Deficiency
A report in the July 11th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine states that people with low levels of vitamin D appear to have a higher risk of death from all causes.
According to background information in the article, several studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency contributes to cardiovascular disease, cancer and death. The optimum level for Vitamin D is supposed to be 30 nanograms per milliliter or higher. The report states that approximately 53% of women and 41% of men have levels lower than 28 nanograms per milliter.
Michal L. Melamed, MD, MHS, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, and colleagues analyzed vitamin D levels in 13,331 individuals who participated in the Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vitamin D levels were collected between 1988 and 1994, and participants were tracked through 2000.
Over a median (midpoint) of 8.7 years of follow-up, 1,806 of the participants died. When they were divided into four groups (quartiles) based on their vitamin D levels, those in the group with the lowest level (less than 17.8 nanograms per milliliter) had a 26 percent increased rate of death from any cause compared with those in the group with the highest vitamin D levels. No significant associations were found when the researchers assessed vitamin D levels and risk of death from cardiovascular disease or cancer alone. Low vitamin D levels may be associated with death through their effect on blood pressure, the body’s ability to respond to insulin, obesity and diabetes risk, the authors note.
Other evidence that supports the risk of vitamin D deficiency’s role in death risk includes:
- Cardiovascular events are more common in the winter when vitamin D levels are at their lowest.
- Cancer survival is better if the cancer is diagnosed in the summer rather than in the winter.
The authors conclude that those with less than 17.8 nanograms per milliliter) is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in the general U.S. population.
Other Fighting Fatigue articles on Vitamin D Deficiency:
Vitamin D Deficiency:� A Disease of Neglect
Low Vitamin D May Be Harmful to Bones of Those with IBD
Vitamin D & Vitamin D Deficiency Links
Vitamin D Deficiency Tied to Back Pain In Older Women
The Dangers of Vitamin D Deficiency
Thanks to How to Cope with Pain for including this post as part of their monthly blog carnival.
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My Dr. just told me that I am low on Vitamin D. She prescribed 50,000 IU weekly for 2 months then once a month. Is this not available over the counter and is this serious?
i think its over exgarrated !!
I’ve been suffering from all the symtoms listed for Vitamin D deficiency…and I’ve been going to the doctors for help for 5 years, finally on a hunch, a new woman’s doctor tested my Vitamin D levels…16.79, that’s my score. She’s putting me on 50, 000 UI twice a week for three months…and will test me again.
I just informed about my Vitamin D level is 9. My doc will put me on a pill once a week for next 6 weeks. It is kind of very low score. How serious is it? What should I pay attention to? Thanks for any advice.
I have been so worried about my vitamin d level and have searched the internet for information. I had a bone scan done last summer and it showed that I have arthritis in my shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles (I am only 37). So my family dr. checked for ra and checked my vitamin d level. My d level was 18 so he told me to get some vitamin d supplements. After taking them for 4 mos. my d level dropped to 15 and then a month later it is now 12. I get plenty of sunlight as I have a 6 yr old daughter and a 15 yr old daughter (and a yorkie that I have to take outside for 10-15 minutes several times a day). I am just at a loss now as to what to do. My dr. wants me to see a rheumatologist but I have no health insurance whatsoever. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated!
To amna who think this over rated you abviously dont know what pain is ….
No one would believe what I’ve been through for the last 5 years. I have been through 8 DRs.. and finally went to an internal specialist who sent me to a bone dr /then to an arthritis specialist. All these Drs knew my Mom died at the age of 43 in 1984 from PSS with the crest. Of course all these years later more is known. My sister has lupus and immune system problems, platelett problems. But the other Drs treated me for manic depressant said nothing else was wrong..quit smoking, lose weight,excercise /get a new job..get a divorce…None of these drs would do anything except write me scripts to function /chest xrays and the normal cholesteral/cbcs to diagnose from. then they had the nerve to do a drug screen to make sure I was taking the Controled Substances as prescribed and not selling or abusing.Long story short, I am taking megadose prednisone,I have what is known (so far} as the CREST. Which my mother had also…so this Dr started me with 3 other medicines… megadoses(short term) Yesterday I started on 50,000 units of vitamin D one time a week for the next 3 months. Then we will see what to do in 4 weeks when all the other blood tests come back (12 tubes of blood this new Dr drew from me for 31 tests} I am a Master Gardener soon to be 50. I have always been in the sun, loving it. Now I have 100% suncreen and who knows what else other than all these pills. I thank God my husband last October said enough is enough and that is when I did quit my job and started this journey to get well. We have 4 grown children and 11 wonder grand children I want to live for. Amazing that I finally know what is wrong and that I am not crazy. All this pain is NOT in my head. I just pray modern medicine caught it in time for me to be a survivor of misdiagnosis.
Hi Lee, Thanks for taking the time to stop by and post a comment. It sounds as though you have really been through a lot and I’m glad to hear that you are getting some treatment. Your mother was so young when she died – I will be 40 this month so that strikes something in me. I’m sure quitting your job has made a big difference in your road to recovery. You are not crazy – no one knows our bodies anymore than us and we know when we are sick. Continue fighting for yourself and get better!
thanks Sandy. I needed a little push today. things are getting better as the medicines get into my system better. I am so excited to take my vitamin D capsule I dont know if I can wait till this afternoon/ but I will.
Yes my mom was very young but back then getting a correct diagnosis was almost impossible. By the time we knew what it was the PSS had gone to her kidneys and lungs and esophagus….25 years later and medicine has cme a long way
Thanks again. Have a great day
wow-never heard of this, but found out thats what I have. funny how all my labs for years, including being told I have a malobsorption disease that no one thought to test me for this. I suffered with everything for 7 years, can’t believe no doctor until now thought to test me. I’m in shock.
anyone out there want to share their experiences with me e-mail me at Patricewhiterose@yahoo.com
Hi,I had no idea that low Vitamin D levels was so serious,for the pass two years I have been suffering from extreme fatique and back and leg pain,shortness of breath, fast heart beat,just plain worn out all the time and not feeling like myself,I would have to sit down or lay down through out the day to rest, I got dark circles under my eyes,thinning hair,I have 5 year old twins and thought the was just giving me a run for my money(LOL)!A month and a half ago I went to the doctor and discovered that my vitamin D level was 8.7 and iron level was 17.3, I’ve been put on 50,000 units of vitamin D once a week and iron pills 2 times a day and feeling a little better,thanks for the opportunity to talk about this.
Over a month ago I went to my doctor and ask him to test my vitamin D leve. Sure enough it was below the normal level at 17. What a difference it made after taking the 50,000 once a week. My feet, ankles, hips and knee joints no longer aches. I still experience some shoudler pain. I so thankful to find out what was causing my problem. I look forward in returning to the doctor to see where my vitamin D level is at. Recently I have started to experience heart palpatations and muscle pain on both side below my breast.
reading blogs on low vitamin d actually made me more aware of what’s going on with my health. i need to do a 360 on my diet plan and start getting a good dose of vitamin d (and all the others as well).
Well, add me to the list oflow Vit D. victims. I have been trated for 6 years for fibromyalgia, sjorgrens syndrome, post polio syndrome an andible necrosis (sidde effect of Fosamax). I have been in constant pain, wither muscules, joints or bones all this time. My autoimmune disorders will wan slightly, then flare right up again. I think many times my doctors have thought my real diagnosis was hypochondira. My blood pressure stays high, no matter what meds I’m put on. I have tachycardia. Severe esophageal and diaphram spasma. But I think I could have lived with all those if it weren’t for the fatigue. Like others, have routinely had mega test run, usually for all the autoimmune disorder stuff. last week my doctor added vit d test. She is not even sure what her made it add to lab order, but we are so glad she did. I went for lab follow-up and HTN check today and found out my Vit D level is 6. Scared the doctor pretty good. She said she had recently read med journal articles about htn and increased risk from low D and she guesses that is why she added to order. So now I will be on mega weekly doses for 8 weeks, then retest. If not up to needed levels she is to try injections of D, which I have been told are pretty painful. Oh, well — can’t match the pain I have lived with for all these years. The crazy thing is I am a nurse and never once suspected a vitamin deficiency could be causing ALL of my symptoms. I hope everyone out there has success. I am waiting with hope.