The Vitamin D-Adenoids Connection. Could Vitamin D Help with Enlarged Adenoids in Children?

Enlarged adenoids are very common affecting about 1 in 3 children worldwide. They can cause:

• Blocked nose, nasal-sounding speech;

• Chronic ear infections, sinus infections, chronic sinusitis, otitis media, and tonsillitis;

• Snoring, mouth breathing, sleep apnoea, teeth grinding, sleep talking, sleepwalking, or generally restless sleep;

• Speech delay and other developmental issues;

• Problems with learning, concentration and behaviour — in fact, children with ADHD are more likely to have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Some studies even suggest that some children do not have ADHD and that the reason for their behaviour is a lack of restful sleep;

• Picky eating — due to problems with swallowing and chewing, this can lead to texture preferences, poor chewing and related sensory problems.

Recent studies show that children with enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils often have low levels of vitamin D, which can affect their immune system and increase inflammation — making adenoid problems worse.

Children with enlarged adenoids and tonsils had lower levels of vitamin D in comparison to healthy children (link for the study). Once levels of vitamin D are restored symptoms of related health issues improve.

Vitamin D levels – what do they mean?

Vitamin D is measured in two units: ng/mL (commonly used in the US) and nmol/L (used in the UK and many other countries). Here's a simple guide for you:

Severe Deficiency: <12 ng/mL or <30 nmol/L

Deficiency: 12–30 ng/mL or 30–75 nmol/L

Normal: 40–60 ng/mL or 100–150 nmol/L

What this means for your child:

Normal levels (40-60 ng/mL or 100-150 nmol/L): Great! Your child has adequate vitamin D, but if they still have adenoid issues, please look further into the rest of root causes outlined as in many cases it’s a complex issue. You have ticked vitamin D — amazing — keep going!

Deficiency (12-30 ng/mL or 30-75 nmol/L): This is very common and is contributing to your child's adenoid problems. The good news? This is easily correctable with the right supplementation protocol.

Severe Deficiency (below 12 ng/mL or 30 nmol/L): This level significantly impacts immune function and inflammation control. Your child will likely benefit greatly from vitamin D supplementation, — work with a specialist to monitor the progress.

How common is vitamin D deficiency globally?

A recent study found that:

• 15.7% of people worldwide have severe deficiency

• 47.9% have levels below the normal range

That means nearly half the global population may not be getting enough vitamin D — and children are especially vulnerable.

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms:

• Frequent colds or flu, herpes

• Autoimmune disease

• Sweating

• Eczema

• Bad mood (Vitamin D is involved in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin)

• Fatigue Muscle pain/bone pain (growing pains)

• Susceptibility to bone fractures (necessary for calcium absorption)

Deficiency diagnostics:

If your child has several of these symptoms along with enlarged adenoids, vitamin D deficiency could be the missing piece of the puzzle. The good news is that once you know what to look for, fixing it is straightforward.

Getting the right diagnosis:

Vitamin D test - 25 (OH) D (ask your doctor for this specific test)

Ideally tested using the CMS method for most accurate results.

Download FREE Vitamin D Starter Protocol HERE