Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults

Vitamin D deficiency In Adults

1)  Vitamin D <30nmol/L

Your recent blood tests have shown that your Vitamin D levels are low and that you would benefit from Vitamin D medication as prescribed.

(Ideally reception could daybook the pharmacist who would prescribe the vitamin D)

You would need to book calcium blood test in one month after commencing the Vitamin D capsules.

It is important to increase your vitamin D in your diet where possible

One month after you have completed the course you would benefit from lifelong vitamin D maintenance. The maintenance dose is 800 units as per the Greater Manchester prescribing guidelines.

(Please see the surgery website and on the right hand sided there is a link for vitamin D)

If you have any further questions please arrange a phone appointment with the GP / pharmacist.

2)  Vitamin D 30-50 and treatment required – (as above)

Your recent blood tests have shown that your Vitamin D levels are low and that you would benefit from Vitamin D medication as prescribed.

(Ideally reception could daybook the pharmacist who would prescribe the vitamin D)

You would need to book calcium blood test in one month after commencing the Vitamin D capsules.

It is important to increase your vitamin D in your diet where possible

Once you have completed the course you would benefit from vitamin D maintenance. The maintenance dose is 800 units as per the Greater Manchester prescribing guidelines.

(Please see the surgery website and on the right hand sided there is a link for vitamin D)

If you have any further questions please arrange a phone appointment with the GP / pharmacist.

3)  Vitamin D 30-50nmol/L - (pharmacy can advise)

Your recent blood tests show that your Vitamin D levels are slightly low and you would benefit from OTC vitamin D. Ideally 800 units on a daily basis.

For further information about Vitamin D please see the surgery website on the right hand column there is a link stating Vitamin D.

Surgery Website

The part below would be listed on the surgery website )

What is Vitamin D and why is it important?

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones,teeth and muscleshealthy.

Severe lack ofvitamin D canlead to bone deformities such asrickets in children and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults. Osteomalacia is a condition where there is softening of the bones.

Studies suggest that Vitamin D may be linked to different medical conditions in addition however there is no consensus about this.

Sources of Vitamin D

The body creates vitamin D from sunlight. For further information access NHS choices-

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/vitamin-D-sunlight.aspx

Vitamin D is also found in a small number of foods.

Sources include:

·  oily fish– such as salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, kippers and fresh tuna

·  red meat

·  liver

·  egg yolks

·  fortified foods–such as most fat spreads and somebreakfast cereals

Investigations

If Vitamin D was prescribed for you by the GP you will need calcium blood test done one month after commencing treatment, to ensure that your calcium levels aren’t raised as this can unmask a medical condition called primary hyperthyroidism.

Vitamin D maintenance

Once vitamin D deficiency has been treated, prevention is required to prevent recurrence. This must be commenced one month after completing the high dose regimen. This includes lifestyle advice (diet, sunshine) and long-term vitamin D supplements:

·  Adults: 800 units daily

For further information a leaflet has been produced by the National Osteoporosis society summarising the need of vitamin d supplementation is available-

https://nos.org.uk/media/98141/vitamin-d-supplements-and-tests.pdf