Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and is important for bones and muscles. The body makes vitamin D in the skin under the influence of sunlight; food provides a smaller share. Some groups need a preventive supplement, but high doses without an indication can cause dangerously high calcium levels.

• Mild deficiency often causes no symptoms and cannot reliably be identified from tiredness alone.
• Bone pain, widespread muscle pain, weakness around the hips and shoulders or difficulty climbing stairs may suggest severe, prolonged deficiency.
• Follow only the prevention advice appropriate to your age and situation, and add up vitamin D from all drops, tablets and combination products.
• Choose foods containing vitamin D, such as oily fish and fortified products, as part of a varied diet, without regarding this as treatment for severe deficiency.
• Make an appointment for bone pain, clear muscle weakness, repeated fractures or a child with abnormal growth or leg alignment.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.