What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is critical in absorbing calcium and phosphate from the intestines. The first of the two forms is Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is normally found in plants. The second form is Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which synthesised using sunlight at the level of the skin, or can be taken as a supplement or given as an injection.
What causes reduced levels of Vitamin D?
- When the body’s requirements outweigh the amount synthesised, particularly common in residents in the UK and Western Europe
- Inadequate food intake or poor intestinal absorption
What are the benefits of Vitamin D injections?
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Vitamin D helps in the absorption and use of calcium, which is needed to develop strong bones. Therefore, reduces the risk of fractures |
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Improves the function of the immune system to fight against infection |
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For example, a low level of vitamin D has shown to increase the risk of colon cancer and can have a negative impact on the survival of these patients |
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The Framingham Heart Study found that patients with low levels of Vitamin D have a 60% higher risk of heart disease 5 |
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Vitamin D injection can be useful to reduce systolic blood pressure in those at risk of hypertension |
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Low levels of vitamin D are common in patients with obesity and may explain the increased risk of these patients for certain cancers and higher cardiovascular disease risk |
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A study found that those who took combined calcium-vitamin D supplements had a lower rise in glucose levels at 3 years compared with those without |
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High doses of vitamin D have shown to ameliorate symptoms of depression |
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The InCHIANTI study found that low levels of vitamin D were associated with substantial cognitive decline in the elderly population |
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High vitamin D levels provide protection against Parkinson’s disease |
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High circulating levels of vitamin D are associated with a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis |
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Vitamin D3 supplementation during winter may reduce the incidence of Influenza A |
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In pregnant women, a deficiency of Vitamin D increases the risk for Bacterial Vaginosis |
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Higher vitamin D levels are associated with a decreased risk of pelvic floor disorders (urinary and faecal incontinence) in women |
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High serum vitamin D concentrations may protect against early AMD in women under 75 years old |
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Vitamin D supplementation has shown to improve the severity of restless less syndrome symptoms |
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High-dose Vitamin D3 therapy may be effective and safe for vitiligo and psoriasis patients |
What is a Vitamin D injection?
An intramuscular (IM) injection at the top of the arm. The injection consists of 300,000 IU of Vitamin D3
Why is it better to give Vitamin D intramuscularly vs orally?
Vitamin D levels, if given IM, shows a sustained increase from baseline, unlike oral supplementation2
Does not require strict regimen of oral intake
Benefits occur quicker compared to oral intake
What do we recommend?
3 injections per year, at divided intervals. This is dependent on the patient’s personal blood profile and circumstances, including medical history and comorbidities.
What happens at the appointment?
You will have a brief consult with the Doctor, followed by the injection, which is performed by the Doctor.
Requirements
Blood tests are done prior and during the course of treatment. They are done routinely to monitor the requirement for injections and response of the patient. The Doctor will assess Vitamin D level, as well as related markers known as the ‘Bone profile’ (calcium, corrected calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase). Blood tests incur an additional cost.
Please contact us to arrange a telephone consultation with one of our doctors to discuss this further.
