Q. As a physician, I have been testing my patients for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D for several months. Many are deficient and some have symptoms of pain and muscle weakness.
I advise patients to take one or two vitamin D supplements of 1000 units daily. Many pharmacists are not aware of the new information, and some have discouraged my patients from buying such supplements if they are taking multivitamins with 400 International Units per daily dose. Please write about this issue.
A. Fatigue, high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain are just a few of the possible symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency. Researchers are reporting high rates of this condition because few people spend much time outside, especially during the winter. During the summer, conscientious use of sunscreen can block vitamin D formation.
Experts are now recommending daily doses of vitamin D in the 1,000 to 2,000 range. Although pharmacists may worry about the potential for vitamin D toxicity, this appears to occur only at much higher doses.
