Vitamin D

Our bodies cannot make vitamins naturally, so we need to find them from external sources. We usually get Vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is needed for the body to regulate phosphate and calcium. These are nutrients that we need to keep our bones, muscles, and teeth healthy and strong.

If you do not have enough vitamin D you may be at risk of certain conditions, like rickets for children or osteomalacia (soft bones) for adults.

Low vitamin D levels have also been found to affect:

• how often you get sick
• your risk of diabetes
• your risk of heart disease

The only way to know for certain if you have low vitamin D levels is with a blood test. You can get a vitamin D test with us, which can be reviewed by our doctors and then vitamin D supplements can be prescribed.

The blood test will measure the levels of vitamin D in your blood. Our doctors will review this and check whether you have sufficient, insufficient, or deficient levels of vitamin D. You will then be prescribed vitamin D tablets that should be taken as advised by our doctors.

Vitamin D can have some side effects, but if you take them as prescribed by your doctor, it is unlikely to cause any harm. You are more likely to get side effects if you take too much.

The most common side effects of vitamin D include:

• headache
• skin reaction
• stomach pain
• increased calcium levels in the blood or urine
• nausea

If you get any of these side effects, speak with your doctor and make sure you are taking the right dose. Most side effects should go away as your body gets used to taking the medication. Drink lots of water and take paracetamol to treat side effects.

There are no rare side effects but too much vitamin D can lead to vitamin D toxicity. The most common symptoms of this are vomiting (being sick), dehydration, and confusion. If you get any of these symptoms, visit A&E.

Vitamin D is usually safe for adults and children. Vitamin D tablets are recommended by the Department of Health and Social Care for all children under the age of 5.

You should not take vitamin D tablets if you have:

• a condition that makes it hard to absorb nutrients (malabsorption)
• high levels of vitamin D
• high levels of calcium

Speak to your doctor before taking vitamin D if you have, or have ever had:

• kidney disease
• an electrolyte imbalance
• heart disease
• diabetes, as some vitamin D tablets may contain other ingredients such as sugar
• allergies
• cancer

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before taking vitamin D as you may need a different dose.

Some medications can interact with Vitamin D, so speak to your doctor before taking if you also take:

• HIV medication
• digoxin, a heart medication
• thiazide diuretics, or other high blood pressure medication
• epilepsy medication, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine

Too much vitamin D can lead to a condition called hypercalcaemia, where too much calcium is in the body. This will damage the kidneys, heart, and bones if left untreated. Always take vitamin D as stated on the bottle, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Vitamin D can be found naturally through sunlight. In the UK, you can usually get enough vitamin D from late March to September, as long as you spend time outside each day. Between October and March, you may need to get vitamin D from other sources, such as supplements or food.

The best foods for vitamin D are:

• fortified foods, such as cereals and spreads
• egg yolk
• red meat
• liver
• oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon