Health · Medical Research · 5 hrs ago
Young women in the UK describe discovering they had low vitamin D
Saskia Reeves-Priestley, a 23-year-old teacher in the UK, fainted at work and later learned her vitamin D levels were very low.
The article says her symptoms were not directly linked to the deficiency, which a blood test identified.
A 21-year-old student in Liverpool was also diagnosed after becoming unwell at home and going to hospital.
Vitamin D comes from some foods and supplements, but the body makes most of it when sunlight reaches the skin.
Low levels can weaken bones and are linked to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults; fatigue and bone or joint pain can also occur.
Doctors say deficiency can be difficult to spot, and sunlight, season, skin tone and covering the skin can affect how much vitamin D the body makes.
A medical group wants the deficiency threshold widened to identify more people with low levels, while blood tests can help detect a deficiency and doctors may prescribe supplements.
Two young women in the UK describe discovering they had low vitamin D after alarming episodes.
Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 23, fainted at work, and later blood tests showed her vitamin D levels were very low.
Amaka, a 21-year-old student in Liverpool, began shaking at home and was later diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency.
Both women described feeling tired, and Amaka said she felt much better after taking supplements.
Doctors say deficiency can be difficult to detect and may go unnoticed or be misdiagnosed.
- Who
- Saskia Reeves-Priestley, 23, and Amaka, a 21-year-old student.
- What
- Both discovered they had vitamin D deficiency after experiencing health problems.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- The United Kingdom; Saskia was at work and Amaka was at her university house in Liverpool.
- Why
- The reasons for their individual deficiencies are not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Saskia fainted at work.
Blood tests showed Saskia’s vitamin D levels were low.
Amaka began shaking while preparing dinner, and her roommate took her to the emergency department.
Amaka took supplements and said she felt much better.
- Saskia Reeves-Priestley
- 23 years old
- Amaka
- 21-year-old student
- Saskia’s blood test
- Vitamin D levels were described as practically zero
- Amaka’s location
- University house in Liverpool
- Treatment reported by Amaka
- Supplements
What people are saying
I felt very dizzy, very nauseous, had palpitations and felt very hot
They call it the silent disease
I am a 21-year-old student. I have work and university, I am always feeling tired
It was scary and I don’t want to go through that again.