There has been an “exponential increase” in testing for vitamin D in healthy people, rather than those most at risk
There has been an “exponential increase” in testing for vitamin D in healthy people, rather than those most at risk.
Dr Peter Ebeling, the medical director at Osteoporosis Australia, said vitamin D deficiency mainly affects the elderly and people who have illnesses that might predispose them to low levels of vitamin D.
“I don’t think we should test people for vitamin D deficiency unless they have risk factors for having it,” he said.
“And in some groups that are institutionalised or the elderly I would just put them on vitamin D supplements rather than testing their vitamin D level because the majority will have low levels.
“We’ve seen is an exponential increase in the testing for vitamin D and I think it’s been focused on the worried well rather than those at risk of vitamin D deficiency.”
In this five-minute video, Professor Ebeling explores the following topics:
- Is it practically feasible for women to get enough calcium from diet alone?
- Calcium supplements and myocardial infarction risk – what’s the latest evidence?
- Current thinking about Vitamin D
- What issues do low levels of Vitamin D in adults cause?
- Should patients be taking both Calcium and Vitamin D supplements?
- Any take home messages regarding Calcium and Vitamin D?
