Can Vitamin D Deficiency Make You Feel Really Ill?

I was experiencing frequent headaches, pronounced fatigue, and overall weakness when I found out I had low vitamin D levels. However, I wasn't entirely sure if I had an actual deficiency. So, I decided to delve deeper into this topic to understand the potential effects of a deficiency and whether it could truly make you feel very ill.

The Impact of Deficiency

Whether you believe a deficiency can make you feel ill or not depends largely on the information you've heard. Nonetheless, if your body is lacking anything it needs, you will undoubtedly feel unwell to some degree. This holds especially true for Vitamin D, which is not a vitamin but a hormone.

Vitamin D: A Hormone, Not a Vitamin

Vitamin D is often called a vitamin, but it is actually a hormone. Like being deficient in thyroid, insulin, estrogen, or testosterone, a deficiency in Vitamin D can cause significant discomfort and ill health.

Chronic Low Levels and Their Effects on Sleep Quality

Chronic low levels of Vitamin D can have a considerable impact on various aspects of life, one of which is sleep quality. While I do manage to get some unconsciousness, my sleep is not deep or restful enough. I often fail to enter sufficient deep phases of sleep, leading to a perpetual feeling of tiredness. Sleep is more than just unconsciousness; your body requires time to perform essential functions and cycle through different stages of sleep to reap its benefits.

Understanding Sleep Cycles and Vitamin D

The quality of your sleep is not just about the length of time you are unconscious. Sleep is divided into different stages, including deep sleep, REM sleep, and light sleep. When you fail to enter deep sleep stages and do not stay there for long, the body does not have enough time to rejuvenate itself and recover from the day's activities. This can lead to a range of health issues, from fatigue to cognitive decline.

Blood Tests and Recommended Levels

Blood tests to measure Vitamin D levels generally indicate a deficiency if the levels drop below 30 ng/mL. However, according to experts, a healthy range should be between 60 to 80 ng/mL. This measurement reflects the levels in your body, not the amount of vitamin D you typically consume through supplements or sunlight exposure.

Factors Affecting Vitamin D Levels

You can maintain healthy Vitamin D levels through various methods. These include taking supplements, exposing yourself to direct sunlight, or consuming foods rich in Vitamin D. However, it's not about the daily intake; it's about achieving a balance that keeps your body's levels in a healthy range. For instance, if you live in a sunny area and can get sufficient sunlight during the summer, your body may produce enough Vitamin D without the need for supplements.

Conclusion

Understanding the importance of Vitamin D and its role as a hormone should help you recognize the potential impact of deficiency. If you're experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, or general weakness, it might be worth checking your Vitamin D levels. Proper sleep and overall health are closely related to these levels.