Is a vitamin D level of 20 low?
A vitamin D of 20 is at the boundary, and the unit decides which side. 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) is the level the NIH calls adequate for bone health; 20 nmol/L (8 ng/mL) is deficient and needs treating.
Below 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) is deficiency. 12 to 20 ng/mL (30 to 50 nmol/L) is insufficient, usually managed with a daily supplement of 800 to 2,000 IU for a few months.
Check the unit on the report. UK and European labs usually report nmol/L; US labs usually report ng/mL. Multiply ng/mL by 2.5 to get nmol/L.
See a doctor promptly if
- Bone pain in the ribs, hips, pelvis or shins that is tender to press, with difficulty rising from a chair or climbing stairs
- A fracture after a minor fall, or loss of height with a new stooped posture
- Muscle spasms, tingling around the mouth or in the hands, or seizures. These suggest very low calcium and need urgent care
- In an infant: delayed walking, bowing of the legs, a soft skull, or a swollen wrist and rib junction
- Symptoms of high calcium after high-dose supplements: excessive thirst, frequent urination, confusion, vomiting
Try the result lookupone number, free, nothing to installType the number you are holding and it lands in a band, with what usually happens next.
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
The one with a clear case
If a blood test shows you are low, a daily D3 tablet fixes it cheaply. Indoor-heavy lives and covered clothing make deficiency common. Test first; more is not better.
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