What is vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness and painful bones. Children with vitamin D deficiency can experience poor growth, tooth delay and find that their bones start to bend out of shape due to a condition known as Rickets. A lack of vitamin D can cause a general sense of being unwell, feeling tired, perhaps with vague aches and pains.

Therefore, a deficiency in vitamin D puts you at risk of developing certain conditions such as: Rickets (in children) and Osteomalacia (in adults). These conditions cause pain and discomfort in the muscles and bones, which become weak and soft. In some cases, the bones may become deformed.

Osteoporosis. This condition causes pain and discomfort in the muscles and bones, which become brittle, weak and prone to fracture. It is important to ensure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D for good bone health.

References for this section are as follows:

1. https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/calcium/ The Royal Osteoporosis Society, Information and support – Nutrition for bones – Calcium. Accessed February 2024.
2. The Royal Osteoporosis Society. What are the Pharmacological Treatment Options? Available in the public domain: https://theros.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/courses-and-cpd/osteoporosis-resources-for-primary-care/initiation/, accessed February 2024
3. Nair R, Maseeh A. Vitamin D: The “sunshine” vitamin. Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics. 2012;3(2):118-126.
4. Osteoporosis Guidelines For health professionals. Irish Osteoporosis Society. 2012. Available in public domain: https://www.icgp.ie/speck/properties/asset/asset.cfm?type=LibraryAsset&id=658D8B2D%2D9409%2D98E3%2D2
   E7EC84B8CAC3A35&property=asset&revision=tip&disposition=
   inline&app=icgp&filename=IOS%5FGuidelines%5FSept%5F2012%5F1%5F%2Epdf [Accessed February 2024]
5. https://www.irishosteoporosis.ie/information-support/vitamin-d-osteoporosis/ The Irish Osteoporosis Society, Vitamin D and Osteoporosis, Accessed February 2024