Vitamin D status in osteoporotic postmenopausal women taking oral recommended vitamin D supplementation

Background and objective: To assess the effectiveness of currently recommended daily intakes of vitamin D (25[OH ]D) to bring optimal serum concentrations (30 ng/ml) in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. Patients and methods: We reviewed 25(OH)D serum concentrations in 165 consecutive osteoporotic postmenopausal women who were taking oral vitamin D daily supplements above 800 IU during at least 3 months. The proportion of patients who achieved 25(OH)D levels of 20, 30 and 40 ng/ml were compared according to daily vitamin D intakes (group 1: 800-1,000 IU, group 2:1,001-1.600 IU, group 3:> 1,600 IU). Results: Mean patient age was 69 (10) years. Percentage of patients with serum 25(OH)D levels above 20 ng/ml was 79.5% (63.5-88.5%), 92.7%(78.7-96%) and 97.6% (90.6-100%) in group 1, 2, and 3 patients, respectively (P=.009). Serum levels above 30 ng/ml were achieveJ in 27.7% (14.7-44.7%), 53.6% (37.670%) and 90.2% (81.2-96.6%), respectively (P <.001). Serum levels above 40 ng/ml were reached in 7.2% (1-20%), 24.4% (12-40%) and 61% (49-72%), respectively (P <.001). Conclusion: Daily reference intakes of vitamin D supplements (800-1,0001U) may be insufficient to achieve optimal serum levels of vitamin D in postmenopausal ostceoporotic women. (C) 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.