Vitamin D deficiency--what are you currently recommending for pts?

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I wanted to present another interesting vitamin D case to all of

you. I have been fascinated by the recent discussions! And my final

question to the group--When a patient demonstrates to have a mild to

moderate vitamin D deficiency, what are the current recommendations

for supplementation, 2000IU/day, 5000IU/day???? As you will read

below, my 27 year old brother was deficient but his MD did not give

him any recommendations.

27 y/o male with chronic shin splints / stress fractures.

Lactose intolerant – only with large amounts of milk no problem with

cheese / yogurt as a result I probably had a decreased calcium intake

growing up.

Family history of GI issues (ulcerative colitis, colon cancer).

Diagnosed with IBS as a young teen.

Before this test pt was in Iraq on a reverse schedule (sleeping

during the day) with only minimal skin ever exposed to the sun

(always in pants and long sleeve shirts and hat / helmet).

Vit D levels: April 23, 2008 = 19 ng/mL.

T-score from DEXA in lower spine -.8

T-score from DEXA in hip / femur .6

I began a regimen of 800-1000 IU of vit D daily and monitored my

calcium intake to ensure I took in at least 1000mg of calcium daily

Vit D levels: May 31, 2008 = 28 ng/mL

I continued this regimen for a few more weeks and assumed levels were

at least greater than 30 ng/mL. I didn't want to overdose so I slowed

down on the Vit D intake. I also maintained significant sun exposure

throughout the summer.

Vit D levels: Sept 26, 2008 = 25 ng/mL

I am now maintaining 2000-3000IU of vit D daily as well as monitoring

my calcium to ensure at least 1000mg per day.