Private MD News

People can be vitamin D deficient and not know it

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

While most people know they can get vitamin D from natural sunlight, sometimes that may not be enough.

Mike DeGiorgi told MSNBC.com he was diagnosed as being deficient in vitamin D, despite being "in the sun all the time." To add to the confusion, DeGiorgi doesn't use sun screen, which when applied to one's skin can deter the vitamin from entering the body.

"I'm Italian. I tan very quickly and I usually don't worry about getting sunburned," Degiorgi told the news provider.

It wasn't until DeGiorgi visited Dr. Sam Saadat that he discovered his leg and foot cramps were a product of his lack of vitamin D, according to the article. As a way to combat the condition, Saadat recommended DeGiorgi get his vitamin D through a diet and nutritional supplements.

For others, Saadat said getting screened for the deficiency can help people avoid future health problems.

Vitamin D testing can determine what amount of the nutrient people have in their body and can be done through a blood test. Those who do not realize they are deficient in the vitamin can develop serious conditions such as heart disease, chronic pain and depression.