Understanding the Link: Can Low Vitamin D Cause Shakiness?

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, a vitamin D deficiency, defined as a serum level below 12 ng/mL, can lead to a variety of health complications. For those with very low levels, a pressing question may arise: can low vitamin D cause shakiness? The answer is yes, though it is typically an indicator of a more severe deficiency impacting neuromuscular function.

Quick Summary

In cases of severe deficiency, low vitamin D impairs the body's ability to absorb calcium, triggering hypocalcemia. This deficiency increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to involuntary muscle movements, such as spasms or tremors, which can manifest as a feeling of shakiness.

Key Points

Low Vitamin D Can Cause Shakiness: Severe vitamin D deficiency, defined as serum levels below 12 ng/mL, can lead to involuntary muscle movements and tremors, which manifest as shakiness.
The Cause is Hypocalcemia: The primary reason for this shakiness is hypocalcemia, a condition where low vitamin D impairs calcium absorption, leading to abnormally low blood calcium levels.
Neuromuscular Excitability: Low blood calcium increases the excitability of nerves, triggering spontaneous and uncontrolled firing that causes muscle spasms, cramps, and tremors.
Accompanying Symptoms: Shakiness is often accompanied by other signs of severe deficiency, including pronounced muscle weakness, widespread muscle and bone pain, balance problems, and fatigue.
Diagnosis is Crucial: A proper diagnosis via a blood test for 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is essential before starting medical interventions.
Addressing the Deficiency: Addressing the deficiency with appropriate strategies under medical supervision can resolve symptoms effectively.

The Critical Role of Vitamin D in Neuromuscular Health

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin with a well-established reputation for promoting bone health, but its functions extend far beyond the skeletal system. A growing body of research highlights its crucial involvement in proper muscle function and neurological processes. The vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, two minerals vital for nerve signal transmission and muscle contraction. When vitamin D levels are low, this intricate system is thrown out of balance, potentially leading to noticeable physical symptoms like shakiness and tremors.

How Hypocalcemia Triggers Shakiness

The primary mechanism linking low vitamin D to shakiness is its effect on calcium metabolism. When vitamin D levels are severely depleted, the body cannot absorb enough calcium from the diet, leading to a condition known as hypocalcemia, or abnormally low blood calcium levels. This hypocalcemia has a direct impact on the nervous system:

Increased Neuromuscular Excitability: The reduced calcium levels cause neurons to become unstable, lowering the threshold needed for activation.
Spontaneous Action Potentials: Nerves fire spontaneous, involuntary signals to the muscles.
Muscle Spasms and Tetany: These spontaneous signals trigger uncontrolled muscle contractions, which can range from mild twitches and cramps to a more severe condition called tetany, characterized by painful, involuntary muscle spasms.

The resulting muscular instability can be perceived as shakiness, particularly in the hands and limbs.

Beyond Tremors: Other Neuromuscular Symptoms

Shakiness is often not an isolated symptom. A severe vitamin D deficiency can manifest in a range of other neuromuscular problems that may accompany or occur alongside tremors.

Muscle Weakness: Particularly noticeable in the upper arms, hips, and thighs, making it difficult to walk or perform everyday tasks.
Muscle Aches and Pain (Myalgia): Chronic, widespread muscle pain can be a prominent symptom.
Bone Pain: The body may start pulling calcium from the bones to compensate for low blood levels, leading to softening (osteomalacia) and pain, especially in the back and joints.
Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness and low energy is one of the most commonly reported symptoms.
Balance Problems: Muscle weakness and impaired nerve function can affect coordination and increase the risk of falls, particularly in older adults.

Comparison of Deficiency Levels and Symptoms

The severity of a vitamin D deficiency directly influences the symptoms experienced. While mild cases might be asymptomatic or cause vague fatigue, severe deficiency is more likely to cause distinct neuromuscular issues.


Level of Deficiency	Serum 25(OH)D	Potential Symptoms
Sufficient	>30 ng/mL	Generally no symptoms.
Insufficiency	12–30 ng/mL	Mild, non-specific symptoms like fatigue or subtle muscle aches.
Severe Deficiency	<12 ng/mL	Distinct, more pronounced symptoms such as significant muscle weakness, spasms, tremors, bone pain, and fatigue.

Diagnosing and Addressing a Vitamin D Deficiency

If you experience persistent shakiness or other symptoms suggestive of a vitamin D deficiency, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider. Diagnosis is typically confirmed with a simple blood test that measures the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in your blood.

Addressing a deficiency typically involves medical guidance and lifestyle adjustments. This can involve:

Supplementation: A healthcare professional may recommend vitamin D supplements based on the severity of the deficiency. The type and amount of supplementation will vary depending on individual needs.
Dietary Sources: While increasing dietary intake alone may not be sufficient to correct a severe deficiency, incorporating more vitamin D-rich foods can support overall health. This includes fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, fortified dairy products, and mushrooms exposed to UV light.
Sunlight Exposure: Sensible sun exposure is a natural way for the body to produce vitamin D. However, it should be balanced with skin cancer prevention measures, and for many, especially those with darker skin or in higher latitudes, it is not a reliable sole source.
Addressing Calcium Levels: In cases of severe hypocalcemia, medical intervention may be necessary to stabilize blood calcium levels quickly.

Conclusion: Addressing the Root Cause

Experiencing tremors or shakiness can be a worrying symptom. While it can have various underlying causes, a severe vitamin D deficiency is a recognized, albeit less common, contributor. The link is rooted in vitamin D's essential role in calcium regulation, which directly impacts nerve and muscle function. Addressing the deficiency through proper supplementation, diet, and lifestyle adjustments, under medical supervision, can resolve these neuromuscular issues and restore overall health. The presence of such symptoms underscores the importance of a balanced nutritional diet and proactive health management.

Action Plan for Addressing Low Vitamin D

Seek Medical Guidance: Consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and personalized plan, especially if experiencing persistent or unexplained shakiness.
Test Your Levels: Request a blood test to measure your 25(OH)D levels and determine the severity of any deficiency.
Follow Professional Recommendations: Adhere strictly to the guidance provided by your doctor regarding supplementation or other interventions.
Boost Dietary Intake: Integrate vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, fortified milk, and eggs into your regular diet.
Consider Sun Exposure: Practice safe and moderate sun exposure while balancing it with skin cancer prevention guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

The time it takes for shakiness to resolve depends on the severity of the deficiency and the prescribed treatment. For severe cases, it can take time to restore adequate levels and alleviate symptoms through appropriate medical interventions.

While severe deficiency is the more likely cause of noticeable tremors and shakiness due to hypocalcemia, mild insufficiency might cause vague muscle aches or weakness that are less severe.

Aside from primary deficiency, related conditions like Parkinson's disease and essential tremor have been linked with low vitamin D levels, though the exact relationship is complex and requires further study.

Yes. Severe vitamin D deficiency has been linked to mood changes, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Muscle weakness and impaired nerve function can also lead to issues with balance and coordination.

For most people with a diagnosed deficiency, it is very difficult to increase levels sufficiently through diet alone. Foods like fatty fish and fortified milk contain vitamin D, but other strategies are usually required for correction.

Calcium ions play a critical role in stabilizing nerve cell membranes and triggering muscle contractions. When calcium levels are too low, nerves become over-excited, leading to uncontrolled firing and involuntary muscle movements.

Yes, deficiencies in other nutrients like magnesium and vitamin B12 can also lead to muscle spasms, tremors, and other neurological symptoms. It is important to have a doctor check for a full range of potential deficiencies.