FAQ: Should My Loved One Be Tested for Low Vitamin D?
Should my loved one be tested for low vitamin D?
Expert Answer
Your loved one should be tested for low vitamin D only if he or she is at high risk for suboptimal vitamin D intake. Testing for low vitamin D is currently not recommended for the general population.
People considered at high risk for low vitamin D include those who:
Are homebound or live in a nursing home or other facility.
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Have dark skin.
Get minimal exposure to sunlight.
Have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have a history of hip, wrist, or vertebral fracture (that is, fractures associated with having osteoporosis).
Suffer from illnesses affecting the bowel's ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease.
Many geriatricians check vitamin D levels in frail older adults who are at risk for falls. That's because low vitamin D levels are common in this group, and treating vitamin D deficiency has been shown to reduce the chance of future falls.
Adults who are very tan from sun exposure and those who take more than 2,000 international units of vitamin D every day are unlikely to be deficient in vitamin D, even if they're frail.