Vitamin D deficiency: A simple algorithm employing weekly administration of 50,000 IU of vitamin D

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 85 - 88
• Main Authors: Middleton, Laura, BA, Stack, Brendan C., MD, Riggs, Ann T., MD, Bodenner, Donald L., MD, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Algorithms; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otolaryngology; Parathyroid Hormone - blood; Patient Compliance; Prospective Studies; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin D - administration & dosage; Vitamin D - analogs & derivatives; Vitamin D - pharmacokinetics; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - drug therapy; Vitamin D Deficiency - etiology; Vitamins - administration & dosage; Vitamins - pharmacokinetics
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2013.12.002

Abstract Objective Vitamin D deficiency affects parathyroid hormone levels and is endemic in the American population due to diet and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to evaluate a treatment algorithm using weekly doses of 50,000 IU of Vitamin D2 for thyroid and parathyroid surgery patients. Study Design Prospective, non-randomized. Setting University health sciences center. Subjects and Methods Patients at a thyroid center being treated for benign and malignant thyroid diseases or parathyroid disease. Subjects with total vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/dl were prospectively treated with weekly doses of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 (D2 ) for durations dependent upon initial vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels. Vitamin D levels were measured after the treatment intervals and change in levels from baseline was determined. Results Subjects receiving 8 weeks of therapy demonstrated an average increase in vitamin D level of 13.4 ng/ml, 10 weeks of therapy showed an increase of 16.35 ng/ml, and 12 weeks showed an average increase of 21.6 ng/ml. The treatment groups had success rates of 82%, 75%, and 71% after 8, 10, and 12 weeks of therapy respectively. When only compliant patients were evaluated (defined as greater than 3-ng/ml increase after therapy), the success rates after 8, 10, and 12 weeks increased to 95%, 79%, and 71% respectively. Conclusions A simple algorithm using 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 corrects its deficiency in the majority of subjects treated. This is a simple method of treatment for thyroid and parathyroid patients who are vitamin D deficient. Thyroid and parathyroid conditions are frequently treated by otolaryngologists and vitamin D deficiency can complicate their diagnosis and/or management.