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Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin”. Your body manufactures it with the help of adequate sunlight. We work, learn and play indoors most of the time. Some of the northern states of the United States and the western world have no adequate sunshine during the winter months. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout childhood, your body uses these minerals to produce bones. If you do not get enough calcium, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from your diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults or rickets in children. Human milk and infant formulas have very low levels of Vitamin D. Excessive sun exposure is not recommended due to increased incidence of skin cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Age Vitamin D Level Treatment
< 1 yr < 10 ng/ml 800 IU of D3 daily for 3 months then 400 IU Daily
11-30 ng/ml 800 IU of D3 daily for 1 month then 400 IU daily
2-6 yr < 10 ng/ml 2000 IU of D3 daily for 3 months then 1000 IU daily
11-30 ng/ml 2000 IU of D3 daily for 1 months then 1000 IU daily
6-10 yr < 10 ng/ml 4000 IU of D3 daily for 3 months then 1000 IU daily
11-30 ng/ml 2000 IU of D3 daily for 3 months then 1000 IU daily
Adults < 10 ng/ml 6000 IU of D3 daily for 3 months then 2000 IU daily OR 50,000 units of D2 once a week for 8 weeks then 2000 IU of D3 daily

*This information is intended for use by my patients as part of my lab test information and patient communication program. For other readers of this article, I inform that this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. I hereby disclaim any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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