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New vitamin D deficiency treatment may urge diagnostic tests

Updated: 2009-10-27 20:54:07 CST Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

by Brendan Missett

Eight weeks of vitamin D deficiency treatments with large doses of vitamin D2 can eliminate the condition, while twice-monthly doses can control it for up to six years, new research suggests.

A study published in the October 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, detailed the treatment of 41 people with low levels of vitamin D, HealthDay News reports. The patients, who were given the large dosage of 50,000 international units of the vitamin each week for two months, experienced levels of vitamin D which nearly doubled after eight weeks.

"Vitamin D2 is effective in raising [vitamin D] levels when given in physiologic and pharmacologic doses and is a simple method to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency," said Dr Michael Holick, director of the Bone Healthcare Clinic at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Holick further noted how vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteoporosis, and a higher risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and the flu. The vitamin helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to determine deficiency of the so-called sunshine vitamin.

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