Vitamin D Dosing: Basic Principles and a Brief Algorithm (2021 Update).
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to propose a practical approach for vitamin D supplementation when immediate 25OH-D level testing is unavailable, such as during COVID-19 quarantine.
Results Summary
The study suggests that moderate vitamin D doses (e.g., 4000 IU/day for adults) can be safely initiated without prior testing, with 25OH-D levels checked later. It also outlines dosing principles when baseline levels are known.
Population
Adults at risk of low vitamin D levels, particularly COVID-19 outpatients under quarantine.
Effective Dosage
4000 IU/day for adults
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D supplementation | neutral | serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OH-D) levels | many people at high risk to have low vitamin D levels | - | should be performed before prescribing | #1 |
moderate vitamin D doses (e.g., 4000 IU/day) | neutral | 25-OH-D levels | COVID-19 outpatients under mandatory quarantine | - | could be advised to start taking | #2 |
vitamin D dosing principles | neutral | baseline 25OH-D levels | - | - | comprises | #3 |
Nowadays, in modern societies, many people can be at high risk to have low vitamin D levels. Therefore, testing of serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OH-D) levels should be performed before prescribing them vitamin D supplementation. However, in some cases the 25OH-D level assessment is not available at the right moment, e.g., due to mandatory quarantine of COVID-19 outpatients. Therefore, such patients could be advised to start taking moderate vitamin D doses (e.g., 4000 IU/day for adults), and their 25-OH-D levels could be checked later. The proposed algorithm also comprises vitamin D dosing principles when baseline 25OH-D levels are known.