Should I Take a Vitamin D Supplement?
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Vitamin D plays an important role in the body for bone health and immune health, so maintaining normal levels of vitamin D is important for our health. But how do you know when you need to take a supplement? Let’s review some common questions when it comes to vitamin D and supplementation.
How do I know if I need to supplement vitamin D?
Your doctor can order a blood test to determine whether or not your vitamin D blood level is within normal range. If your blood test results show that you’re low, your physician may recommend vitamin D supplementation. If your levels are below a certain threshold, your physician may prescribe large doses of vitamin D to be taken over a short period. Your physician may retest at a later date to ensure it was effective at increasing your vitamin D levels.
Is it possible to take too much vitamin D?
The upper limit, as established by the Institute of Medicine, is 4,000 iu per day. Still, it’s best to follow your physician’s guidance when determining how much to take daily.
I’ve been told by my doctor that I need to start taking vitamin D. Which over-the-counter vitamin D supplement do I choose?
Check out our related article on how to select quality supplements!
*References available with PDF download