Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Normal Levels of Vitamin D

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Normal Levels of Vitamin D

• The normal range of vitamin D is level between 20 and 40 ng/mL
• Some providers also recommend a level between 30 and 50 ng/mL

Explanation:

• Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement.
• It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
• Vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, foods, and supplements is biologically inert and must undergo 2 hydroxylations in the body for activation.
• Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal bone mineralization and to prevent hypocalcemic tetany.
• Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.

Reference

1. Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov)
2. vitamin D - Google Search