Before looking at how vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed and treated, it is helpful to understand where our vitamin D comes from.
Most of our vitamin D (around 80–90%) is made in our skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight. This is why vitamin D levels can change throughout the year.
During autumn and winter, there is less suitable sunlight in the UK for our bodies to make enough vitamin D.
Once vitamin D has been made in the skin, it travels to the liver, where it is changed into a form called 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). This is the form measured in a blood test to check your vitamin D levels.
The remaining 10–20% of our vitamin D comes from our diet, including foods such as oily fish, eggs and some fortified foods.
Why Is Vitamin D Important?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium, which is needed to keep your bones and teeth strong. It also plays an important role in normal muscle function and supports the healthy functioning of your immune system.
So, why should you consider taking a vitamin D supplement?
Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones by supporting calcium absorption. Getting enough vitamin D helps prevent bones from becoming weak and, in cases of severe deficiency, helps prevent a condition called osteomalacia and rickets which can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.
Vitamin D also supports normal muscle function. Having adequate levels helps your muscles work properly.
In addition, vitamin D plays a role in the normal functioning of your immune system.
How much vitamin D should you take?
In the UK, the general recommendation for adults and children aged four and over is to consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms (400 international units) of vitamin D during autumn and winter.
Some people may need supplementation throughout the year, particularly those who spend little time outdoors, cover most of their skin when outside, or have darker skin.
Babies and young children have separate recommendations, so it is worth checking the advice appropriate to their age.
You can buy vitamin D supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets. You do not usually need an expensive supplement, and taking more is not necessarily better. Avoid taking more than 100 micrograms (4,000 international units) daily as an adult unless a healthcare professional has specifically advised you to do so.
Is vitamin D safe for everyone?
For most people, taking the recommended daily amount is safe. However, excessive vitamin D can cause calcium to build up in the blood and may damage your kidneys. If you have a medical condition, take certain medicines, or have been advised to restrict supplements, speak to your pharmacist or healthcare professional before starting.
Dr Markides advises that if you have symptoms such as persistent bone pain or muscle weakness, it is important to seek medical advice rather than assuming you simply need a supplement.
Private GP services at Ramsay Health Care UK
Ramsay Health Care UK offers private GP services both in our hospitals and through online appointments. Seeing a private General Practitioner (GP) provides several benefits that can make it a preferred choice for many individuals, including reduced waiting times, flexible appointments, and personalised care. Find a private GP; either in person or virtually.