Diagnostics | Vitamin D deficiency

Diagnostics

In order to clarify a vitamin D deficiency, a blood test is carried out by a doctor. This should be carried out if there are already manifest signs of a vitamin D deficiency or if a vitamin D deficiency is suspected. This is necessary for example with concerning, which exhibit a decreased bone density, an increased loss at calcium and Vitamin D in the context of a dialysis have, which take medicines such as barbiturates or loop diuretics or which can take up due to basic illnesses (Z?liakie, Sprue, M. Crohn) only reduced calcium and Vitamin D over the intestine. Typical findings for a vitamin D deficiency would be: a decrease in 25-hydroxyl-calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D), an increase in parathyroid hormone (the antagonist of vitamin D) and an increase in alkaline phosphatase, which in this case indicates disorders of bone metabolism. The assessment of a vitamin D deficiency is particularly effective in the winter months of January to April.

Therapy

If a vitamin D deficiency is ultimately detected, vitamin D must be substituted, i.e. supplied to the body from outside (e.g. in the form of tablets). According to the new guidelines, 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 (e.g. Dekristol® capsules) should be taken once a week for 8 weeks.

If the vitamin D levels are still below the normal limit after this, the therapy should be continued for a further 8 weeks. If there is still no improvement, vitamin D3 should be taken every 2-3 weeks. Another possibility would be to ensure sufficient sunlight exposure and to additionally take vitamin D in low dosage.

Prophylaxis

Of the German society for child and youth welfare service (DGKJ) the daily gift of a Vitamin D tablet (10-12,5μg = 400-500 IE) is recommended to children in the first twelve life months, independently of the sunlight irradiation and Vitamin D supply in the nut/mother milk, starting from the end of the first life week up to the end of the first year of life as prophylaxis. This prophylaxis can also be continued during the winter months in the 2nd year of life. No further prophylaxis is necessary after the end of the 2nd year of life.

Adults with insufficient exposure to sunlight are generally (and especially in winter) recommended to take 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D every 2-3 weeks. Pregnant and lactating women are recommended to take 1000-2000 IU of vitamin D every 2 weeks. However, it should be noted that science still has difficulty agreeing on the exact amounts or doses needed to be effective.

Thus some researchers in the field of vitamin D recommend a daily dosage of up to 5000 IU in winter. For an individual, correct dosage however always consultation with a physician should be held before an independent Vitamin D income.