Overview

• Optimal vitamin D dosing varies widely and should be guided by regular 25(OH)D blood level tests.
• Helena Orfanos-Boeckel reports that many patients require 4,000 to 5,000 IU daily to maintain levels around 60 ng/ml, with some needing up to 20,000 IU under medical supervision.
• Health agencies recommend from 400 IU (NHS) to 800 IU (DGE) daily while some institutes advocate 2,000 IU or more for broader health benefits.
• Sun exposure and foods such as fatty fish and UV-treated mushrooms remain important vitamin D sources, especially when sunlight is limited.
• Women face elevated risks from deficiency, including bone density loss, higher fracture rates and pregnancy complications, highlighting the need for targeted monitoring.