Vitamin D has recently been associated with a decreased risk of several cancers. (up to 50% decrease risk of breast cancer when blood levels are between 45 and 100 ng/ml). Vitamin D may also help to prevent diabetes and other cancers.

     Our bodies manufacture Vitamin D in response to sun exposure. Possibly our adherence to wearing sunscreen has affected our ability to produce adequate levels of Vitamin D.

Sources of Vitamin D

• Sun exposure- 15 min per day ~ 5 days per week (risk skin cancer)
• Salmon, tuna, oily fish and milk contain Vitamin D but little enters the blood stream.
• 25 OH- Vitamin D level will determine the need for treatment
• Vitamin D 1000 IUdaily dose for therapeutic maintenance
• Levels > or = to 45 ng/mlmaintain dosages of 1000 IU per day
• Levels 30 - 45 ng/ml2000 IUper day for 4 weeks then maintain 1000 IU per day ( retest blood @ 3 months)
• Levels 20-30 ng/mlindicates insufficiency2000 IU per day for 8 weeks then maintain 1000 IU daily (retest blood @ 3 months)
• Levels less then 20 ng/mlindicate a severe deficiency and should be treated with 3000 IU per day for 8 weeks then 2000 IU per day there after. Retest blood level after 4 months of treatment. This will determine maintenance.

Patients with renal disease should have levels of 30ng/ml

NEJM
Vitamin D Deficiency
Michael F Holick MD PhD
Volume 357:266-281 July19,2007 Number 3