Appreciate your help on this.

Lyn C

Thank you for your forum post and information about your recent vitamin D test results.

A serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of over 75 nmol/l is considered to be optimal (healthy) and your blood result comes at a time of the year when your levels of vitamin D are likely to be highest (at the end of the summer months). Your vitamin D blood level of 112 nmol/l indicates you might have adequate reserves for the winter months however general recommendations about how much vitamin D is necessary for any one person and what levels are safe remain presently under discussion amongst doctors. There is at present little black and white guidance unfortunately.

If you had been taking and continued to take a high dose vitamin D supplement and were not monitored on a regular basis there might be a potential risk of having too much vitamin D perhaps. There is some thought that high levels of vitamin D for prolonged periods might be toxic so it is important that dietary supplements do not provide more than 25 micrograms of vitamin D daily, unless prescribed for a specific reason by your doctor.

In the UK the recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU international units (or 10 micrograms) per day for an adult. One standard calcium/ vitamin D supplement is likely to supply about this level.

A discussion with the GP who knows you and your relevant history might be best to assess your individual need for a calcium and vitamin D supplement in the light of your recent results.


Best wishes

Helpline Nurses
National Osteoporosis Society