TREATING VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
How much Vitamin D is needed to correct suboptimal Vitamin D levels?
The amount of vitamin D required to treat Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) or insufficiency varies across individuals – there is no one-size-fits all dosage.1
Here, we highlight the recommended minimum dietary intake, maintenance/prevention, and treatment doses of Vitamin D for different ages.
Group
Minimum dietary intake per day1
Maintenance/
prevention dose1,2
Treatment dose for VDD2
Infants
(0–1 years)
400 IU
400–1,000 IU daily1 or
25,000 IU every 8 weeks2
25,000 IU once every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, then maintenance/ prevention dose
Children
(1–18 years)
600 IU
600–1,000 IU daily1 or 25,000 IU every 6 weeks2
Adults
(19–70 years)
600 IU
1,500–2,000 IU
daily1 or
25,000 IU
per month
(higher doses may
be required in
certain situations)2
50,000 IU per week for 6–8 weeks, then maintenance/ prevention dose
Elderly
(>70 years)
800 IU
Group
Infants (0–1 years)
Minimum dietary intake per day1
400 IU
Maintenance/
prevention dose1,2
400–1,000 IU daily1 or 25,000 IU every 8 weeks2
Treatment dose for VDD2
25,000 IU once every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, then maintenance/
prevention dose
Group
Children (1–18 years)
Minimum dietary intake per day1
600 IU
Maintenance/
prevention dose1,2
600–1,000 IU daily1 or 25,000 IU every 6 weeks2
Treatment dose for VDD2
25,000 IU once every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, then maintenance/
prevention dose
Group
Adults (19–70 years)
Minimum dietary intake per day1
600 IU
Maintenance/
prevention dose1,2
1,500–2,000 IU daily1 or 25,000 IU per month (higher doses may be required in certain situations)2
Treatment dose for VDD2
50,000 IU per week for 6–8 weeks, then maintenance/ prevention dose
Group
Elderly (>70 years)
Minimum dietary intake per day1
800 IU
Maintenance/
prevention dose1,2
1,500–2,000 IU daily1 or 25,000 IU per month (higher doses may be required in certain situations)2
Treatment dose for VDD2
50,000 IU per week for 6–8 weeks, then maintenance/ prevention dose
Minimum dietary intake: minimum intake level that is able to meet the needs of most healthy individuals of a particular age group. Maintenance/prevention dose: recommended dietary intake to consistently raise Vitamin D levels to above 30 ng/mL. Treatment dose: as prescribed by doctors for the treatment of VDD.
The dosages in this table are only a guide based on averaged data. Treatment plans should always be developed by doctors and dieticians based on an individual’s medical history, one’s current Vitamin D level, and one’s response to Vitamin D supplementation. Consult your healthcare provider for more information if you have any queries or concerns.
References
1) Holick MF, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011;96:1911-1930.
2) MIMS Singapore. D-Cure® (vitamin D) [prescribing information]. Available at:
https://www.mims.com/singapore/drug/info/d-cure?type=full. Accessed 1 July 2021.
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