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'I'm A Doctor - Fatigue And Aches Could Be Warning Sign Of Vitamin Deficiency'

Dr Asif Ahmed recommended some people might benefit from making one change for life

15:25, 03 Mar 2025Updated 19:46, 03 Mar 2025

Feeling tired and achy regularly could be warning signs your body is lacking essential vitamins. One doctor warns that these issues might be red flags of a serious condition that could lead to "bone deformities."

British GP Dr Asif Ahmed recently shared the importance of vitamin D in an Instagram video. He also explained what could happen to your body and health if you aren't getting enough.

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He listed some common symptoms that patients often mention, such as fatigue, hair loss, and aches and pains. Combined, these can indicate serious health concerns, including vitamin D deficiency.

A simple blood test can determine if you're deficient or just have insufficient levels of an essential vitamin or mineral your body needs to function properly. He said: "A vitamin D insufficiency is when you've got less than ideal levels of vitamin D. It can cause various, non-specific symptoms. But a deficiency is when your vitamin D is so low it starts to affect bone growth."

A vitamin D deficiency can affect your bones, leading to related issues like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Dr Ahmed said the treatment often requires "prescription-strength" vitamin D to enhance your levels again.

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He added that the "sweet spot" is around 75nmol. Whilst it may seem like a high target, our bodies should do most of the work naturally throughout the day.

Vitamin D deficiency can be less noticeable in adults compared to children. Some potential signs and symptoms include feeling tired, experiencing bone pain, having weak muscles, or dealing with muscle aches and cramps.

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You might also notice changes in your mood, such as feeling down or depressed. It's important to note that some people may not show any signs or symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency at all.

Dr Ahmed added: "Our main source of vitamin D is generally from the sun but also from our food. In the UK winter months, when we have very short days and lack of sunlight, I think most people would benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement. The ideal supplement would be D3, and you'd take about 10mg of it per day.

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"For people who work indoors, rarely go outside or have slightly darker skin, it would probably be wise to take that dose throughout the whole year." According to the NHS website, vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, maintaining the health of bones, teeth, and muscles.

Good natural sources of vitamin D:

The NHS claims that most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. Optimal times of the year include late March/early April to the end of September.

Outside of that timeframe, people might want to consider taking measures to increase the amount of vitamin D entering their bodies. Vitamin D can be found in a small number of foods, such as:

If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, speak to your GP. They can arrange any testing to determine the best course of action for you.

What Is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?

What is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?

HPS is a severe and often life-threatening disease that primarily affects the lungs. Symptoms of HPS usually appear within 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to an infected rodent.

Early Symptoms of HPS:

Fatigue

Fever

Muscle aches, particularly in large muscle groups like the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders.

About 50% of people infected with hantavirus will also experience:

Headaches

Dizziness

Chills

Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Late Symptoms of HPS (4 to 10 Days After Initial Illness):

Coughing and shortness of breath

Chest tightness, as the lungs begin to fill with fluid, making breathing difficult.

HPS can be fatal. Studies show that 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms from HPS may die from the disease.

What is Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS)? HFRS primarily affects the kidneys and can also be severe or fatal. The disease is common in Europe and Asia but can be found in other parts of the world as well. Symptoms of HFRS typically develop within 1 to 2 weeks after exposure to infected rodents, though it can take up to 8 weeks in rare cases. Early Symptoms of HFRS: Severe headaches Back and abdominal pain Fever and chills Nausea Blurred vision Later symptoms may include: Low blood pressure (leading to shock) Internal bleeding (vascular leakage) Acute kidney failure, which can result in fluid overload. The severity of HFRS depends on the hantavirus strain. For example: Hantaan virus and Dobrava virus can cause severe symptoms, with 5-15% of cases resulting in death. Puumala virus, Seoul virus, and Saaremaa virus tend to cause milder symptoms, with fewer than 1% of cases fatal. How to Prevent Hantavirus Exposure The best way to avoid hantavirus is to reduce contact with rodents. Here are some key prevention tips: Seal entry points: Close any gaps, holes, or cracks in your home, garage, or workplace to prevent rodents from entering. Set rodent traps: Place traps in and around your home to reduce rodent populations. Eliminate food sources: Clean up crumbs, food scraps, and trash that may attract rodents. By taking these simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of hantavirus exposure. Diagnosing Hantavirus Infections Diagnosing hantavirus infections can be tricky, especially within the first 72 hours of exposure. Early symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea often resemble flu or other viral infections, making early diagnosis difficult. If you suspect a hantavirus infection, it's important to seek medical attention right away. Be sure to mention any potential rodent exposure to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment for Hantavirus: Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for hantavirus infections. Treatment focuses on supportive care to help the body manage the infection: Rest and hydration Breathing support for patients with HPS, which may include intubation (placing a tube in the lungs to assist with oxygen intake). Dialysis for HFRS patients with kidney failure, helping to remove toxins from the blood and balance fluids in the body. Both HPS and HFRS can be fatal, so early detection and medical support are essential to improving survival chances. RELATED: A Timeline of How Actor Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Died Conclusion: What You Need to Know About Hantavirus Hantavirus infections are rare but serious diseases that can lead to severe health complications, including lung and kidney failure. The best prevention is reducing exposure to rodents and their droppings. If you develop symptoms like fever, fatigue, or muscle aches and suspect rodent exposure, it's important to seek medical help promptly. Key Takeaways: HPS affects the lungs, while HFRS impacts the kidneys. Early symptoms of both diseases are often similar to the flu and can lead to severe complications. Preventing rodent exposure is the most effective way to reduce the risk of hantavirus.

Investigators Reveal Cause Of Death For Betsy Arakawa

THE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR MISS BETSY HACKMAN, AGED 65 YEARS, IS HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME. THE MANNER OF DEATH IS NATURAL. AUTOPSY, EXAMINATION AND FULL BODY POSTMORTEM CT DEMONSTRATED NO FINDINGS OF TRAUMA INTERNALLY OR EXTERNALLY, WITH MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME. LABORATORY TESTING WAS POSITIVE FOR HANTAVIRUS AT A CLINICAL LAB WITH REQUIRED CONFIRMATION

Investigators reveal cause of death for Betsy Arakawa

Updated: 3:00 PM MST Mar 7, 2025

On March 7, investigators provided the cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa. Investigators revealed Arakawa died from hantavirus, a disease that is found in New Mexico. What is hantavirus?Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide, according to the CDC. People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.The syndrome is a rare lung disease that kills about a third of those infected. Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches and fatigue, though it is not communicable from person to person.In the United States, the carriers of hantavirus are deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white-footed mice.The virus can be present in the rodents' urine, droppings and saliva, and it is spread to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus, the CDC says.Hantavirus in New MexicoIn New Mexico, there has been only one case of hantavirus in 2025. That person was Arakawa. In 2024, there were 7 cases of hantavirus in the state. How to AvoidHow it's spread: Touching or breathing air particles of urine or droppings from certain types of mice or rats, especially deer mice.Symptoms: Develop one to six weeks later and can include flulike symptoms that progress into a dry cough, headache, nausea and vomiting, then shortness of breath.Prevention: Keep rodents out of your home; carefully clean any nests with disinfectant or bleach and water.

On March 7, investigators provided the cause of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

Investigators revealed Arakawa died from hantavirus, a disease that is found in New Mexico.

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses can infect and cause serious disease in people worldwide, according to the CDC. People get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. It can also spread through a bite or scratch by a rodent, but this is rare.

The syndrome is a rare lung disease that kills about a third of those infected. Symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle aches and fatigue, though it is not communicable from person to person.

In the United States, the carriers of hantavirus are deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and white-footed mice.

The virus can be present in the rodents' urine, droppings and saliva, and it is spread to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus, the CDC says.

Hantavirus in New Mexico

In New Mexico, there has been only one case of hantavirus in 2025. That person was Arakawa.

In 2024, there were 7 cases of hantavirus in the state.

How to Avoid

How it's spread: Touching or breathing air particles of urine or droppings from certain types of mice or rats, especially deer mice.

Symptoms: Develop one to six weeks later and can include flulike symptoms that progress into a dry cough, headache, nausea and vomiting, then shortness of breath.

Prevention: Keep rodents out of your home; carefully clean any nests with disinfectant or bleach and water.

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