Could vitamin D deficiency cause cold symptoms?

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been sick with cold and flu symptoms (on average) about 12 to 14 days each month for the past year. My family doctor referred me to a rheumatologist because she thought it might be autoimmune. The rheumatologist believes that a low vitamin D level and allergies are causing my symptoms. She has put me on 50,000 IU of vitamin D for the next eight weeks and daily Claritin.

Can you tell me what could be causing my low vitamin D level? Do you believe that this is the issue, or are the low levels caused by something else?

DEAR READER: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for promoting calcium absorption, maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate levels, bone growth and remodeling, reduction of inflammation, and neuromuscular and immune function.
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