Vitamin D deficiency in teenagers

[Ladymacbethshandwash]

My son had some blood tests last week and I got a call this morning from our surgery to say he has a vitamin D deficiency and we have to make an appointment with the pharmacist to discuss. Does anyone know if there are any other causes of Vit D deficiency other than lack of sunlight. My son is very sporty so outside a lot, walks everywhere and his diet contains foods rich in vitamin D, so I'm a little confused as to why his levels would be low, maybe he's staying in the shade too much?

It's not uncommon in that age group, my ds had very low levels last year (16) my son's is probably down to his health but it is most likely to be just a chance finding.

In most people.

My daughters vit D level came back at 12, her levels are due to her health problems. I believe there has been an increase in vit d levels due to the use of sun block, could this also be a reason with your sun? I can’t remember the % but my dd physio says that the amount of vit D absorbed from vit d rich foods can be quiet low.

• decrease, not increase!

Fgs, son not sun!!

Most people will be vitamin D deficient in the UK as reserves can only last 3 months and no one can get enough vitamin D in the winter from sunlight in UK and you cant get enough from food alone so unless you are holidaying abroad it is very likely you will be deficient. It is why government NICE guidelines recommend that all young people have daily vitamin D supplements in the UK. It just seems most parents are not aware of the government guidelines.

Which food does he eat that is rich in Vit D?

Does anybody know if Vit D deficiency is linked to mild depression and anxiety? Sorry, probably a really silly question

Yes huge link to depression and anxiety. High dose supplement on prescription (not just over counter dose) after blood tests can totally transform mental health.

Bear in mind that sun cream prevents vitamin D production.

Thanks private...confirmed what I was thinking

Ragged, he eats tuna, salmon, lots of cheese, eggs and drinks lots of milk.

Milk in UK is not fortified, is it? So cheese would be out, too.
If you live in UK. I'm reading eggs is a very minor source, too.
Salmon qualifies.

I was diagnosed last year with vit d deficiency and was told that diet wasn't enough to boost it, my GP letter told me to sit in the sun three times a week for 20 minutes. I was also told to take vit d supplements, I give dc ones for kids now.

NHS website and guidelines state it is very difficult to obtain from food alone. Also depends on your skin colour but darker skin need to take vitamin D supplements all year round as cannot get enough from UK sunlight even in summer as doses required are higher - again this is explained in the guidelines and many people are unaware of this. I would not be concerned why you are deficient as the majority of the population of the UK is at this time of year, it is quite normal to be deficient. Just take a supplement as recommended by the NNS even if you haven't been blood tested.

You need 3 decent meals of oily fish per week, like mackerel, sardines and herring, to get enough vit D through diet, just to stand still if your levels are good in the summer.

Much as I like the odd sardine on toast lunch, and kippers, there is no way I can eat that much in a week. I only like mackerel smoked and about once a month. Therefore, I take supplements. Salmon is ok, and all the other things but they are a bit vitamin D lite, and you need Sun.

One year I went to Thailand in early March. It was my best year

I think we need to move somewhere hot and sunny.

My husband broke his foot cycling once. As in...he was pedalling along and his foot just broke. And he's a cyclist! The doctor told him it had broken like that because of a vitamin D deficiency, and that pretty much everyone in the UK will be deficient without supplements, and since then we make sure we all take them.
My son is very fair so I think there's no way he could safely get what he needs from sunlight anyway. I'd rather supplement him than risk him burning.
I hope your son is ok and he gets his levels sorted quickly.

My teenagers taker Lux better you vitamin D spray 3000 about 3 times a week.

Following on from terry's post, I didn't go away a few years back - it was a diabolical year. Took myself away last year, and same - best year in a long time