Vitamin D is a very unique and remarkable vitamin! It is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency simply means that your body does not have enough Vitamin D for proper use.
Maintaining an appropriate balance of Vitamin D helps the body function properly. Most importantly, Vitamin D is essential in the development of strong bones and the prevention of diseases like diabetes, rickets, osteoporosis and a variety of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
The most common symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency in children are:
In many cases, these symptoms are very mild but sustained.
Due to Idaho’s long winter, most people in our area have vitamin D deficiency. When we don’t go outside for long periods of time or we keep ourselves completely covered due to colder temperatures, we are at a higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
Others who are more at risk of Vitamin D deficiency include those who have milk allergies, eat a strict vegan diet, or have darker skin.
The most common reasons for Vitamin D deficiency include:
Since Vitamin D doesn’t occur naturally in many foods, it can be challenging for some diets and lifestyles.
Diagnosis and TreatmentThe most accurate method of diagnosis of Vitamin D Deficiency is a blood test. Once identified, the most obvious treatment is through dietary supplements and more exposure to the sun. However, identifying the root cause of the deficiency is very important to establish a lifetime of health for a child.
Dr. Smith is the regions only pediatric endocrinology and is specifically trained to properly diagnose and treat the root cause of Vitamin D Deficiency and prevent the onset of diseases like diabetes and osteoporosis.
If your child is experiencing symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency, call Dr. Joshua Smith for an appointment, or fill out the form below.