Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment and Prevention

Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors

The American College of Physicians suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with depression and functional limitations in adults 1
Low vitamin D intake, decreased vitamin D absorption, limited sun exposure, obesity, darker skin pigmentation, older age, and female sex are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency 2

The American College of Physicians recommends a daily dietary vitamin D intake of 600 IU in adults aged 18 to 70 years, and 800 IU in adults older than 70 years 3
The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends supplementation with 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, along with 1,000-1,500 mg of calcium, for patients at high risk for vitamin D deficiency 4
For patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving corticosteroids, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism recommends supplementation with 800-1,000 IU/day vitamin D and 800-1,000 mg/day calcium 5

The National Kidney Foundation recommends measuring serum levels of calcium and phosphorus at 1 month following initiation or change in dose of vitamin D, and yearly monitoring of 25(OH)D levels once vitamin D levels normalize 6
The American College of Physicians notes that vitamin D toxicity is rare but can occur with excessive supplementation, and is associated with 25(OH)D levels above 200 ng/mL (500 nmol/L) 3