Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, reduced bone mineral density and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Vitamin D3 levels decline with advancing age, presumably due to reduced sun exposure and cutaneous synthesis, and impaired renal function.
The recommended daily intake to prevent deficiency in Vitamin D3 replete patients with minimal sunlight exposure is 400 IU for those aged 51-70 years and 600 IU for those >70 years. Patients in residential care may require higher intakes.
The 2009 RGH E-Bulletins are archived here.
If you like this post and what else you see on the blog please subscribe by RSS feed (the orange button) or by email. Visit my subscription page.
A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
{ 1 comment }
