Does a Deficency in Vitamin D Cause Fibromyalgia?

Root Cause of FMS Twenty-five women (mean age, 44.5 years) with fibromyalgia, all living in Ontario, were studied between January and March, 2000. Twelve of the women (48%) had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L, a level that is considered the threshold for deficiency, since stimulation of parathyroid hormone occurs at that level or lower. Comment: This study shows that marginal vitamin D deficiency is common among women living in a northern latitude who suffer from fibromyalgia. Other research suggests that low vitamin D status may be more than just an incidental finding in people with fibromyalgia. According to one report (Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1199-1203), correction of vitamin D deficiency can ameliorate symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and depression. Although vitamin D status is almost never assessed in patients presenting with these conditions, it should be suspected in people with inadequate sun exposure, in those who do not consume vitamin D-fortified foods (such as milk), and in people with malabsorption, malnutrition, or chronic renal failure.