Have you ever thought or paid enough attention to the signs your body may be telling you? Simple, everyday signs that you may not even think are an issue may in fact be a vitamin deficiency.
Here are 5 More Signs and Symptoms That You May Have a Vitamin Deficiency:
1. Vitamin D Deficiency: Do you have bone pain? Depression? Or a sweaty hand? You may have a deficiency. Get your Vitamin D levels checked the next time you see your specialist or primary care practitioner. Levels should be above 30, optimally between 60-80ng/ml.
2. Vitamin C Deficiency: Do you bruise easily? How about bleeding gums or gingivitis? Joint pain is another common symptom. Vitamin C can be found in green leafy vegetables like kale, as well as kiwi, tomatoes, berries, and peppers. If you don’t think you are getting enough in your diet, supplement with ascorbic acid. Most multivitamins contain this in their formula. Daily dose 500-1000mg, on the higher end if you are fighting a cold.
4. Zinc Deficiency: Do you lack an appetite or have a decrease in your sense of smell or taste? You may have a zinc deficiency. It can be found in pumpkin seeds, spinach, green peas, beans, oysters and sea vegetables. It also helps to boost your immune system and prevent you from getting colds and flu’s. Typically daily dosage is 15mg.
5. B12 Deficiency : Do you get tingling in your extremities? Mental fogginess? Depression? Fatigue? Also have you been told you have a history of anemia? Consider a B12 deficiency and get it checked at your next visit. B12 blood levels should be close to 1000ng/ml. Anything less than 250 is severe deficiency. You may need injectible B12 especially if you have digestive issues as you may not be able to absorb B12 orally. Also vegetarians and vegans commonly have this deficiency since animal protein supplies B12.
6. Iodine Deficiency or Thyroid Issues: Are your eyebrows sparse or shortened on the ends? Hair easily falling out? This is a sign of thyroid issues. Get a full thyroid panel including thyroid antibodies and iodine levels.
So do any of these ring a bell for you? Have you ever had these checked during your last specialist visit? If you suffer from a chronic illness, it is highly likely you are deficient in a few of these.
Is your practitioner open to testing these? Be proactive and ask at your next visit.
Until next time,
Margaret
