Vitamin D Did Not Improve Bone or Muscle Health in Post-Menopausal Women

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Karen E. Hansen, M.D., M.S.
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, WI 53705-2281

Medical Research: What is the background for this study?

Dr. Hansen: The USPTF says to older community dwelling adults, “don’t bother taking vitamin D”, the Endocrine Society says “take 2,000-4,000 IU daily” and the Institute of Medicine gave an RDA of 600-800 IU daily. The Endocrine Society argues that optimal vitamin D levels are 30 ng/mL and higher, while the Institute of Medicine concludes that 20 ng/mL and higher indicates optimal vitamin D status. The disagreement between experts prompted my study.

Medical Research: What are the main findings?

Dr. Hansen: Among postmenopausal women whose vitamin D level was ~21 ng/mL at baseline, there was no benefit of high-dose or low-dose vitamin D, compared to placebo, on spine/hip/total body bone mineral density, muscle fitness by 5 sit to stand test or Timed Up and Go, or falls. We did see a small 1% increase in calcium absorption in the high-dose vitamin arm, but this small increase did not translate into clinically meaningful changes in bone density or muscle tests.


Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Hansen: the Institute of Medicine concluded that virtually all patients are vitamin D replete, if their serum levels are 20 ng/mL or higher. Our study agreed with that conclusion, since we found no clinical benefits from pushing levels from ~21 ng to above 30 ng/mL for one year, with use of high-dose vitamin D.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Hansen: We did not have many African American women in our study. Whether this group of individuals has differing vitamin D requirements, due to racial variations in vitamin D binding protein levels, or different calcium absorption efficiency and/or renal calcium recycling, is an important future study.

Citation:

Hansen KE, Johnson R, Chambers KR, et al. Treatment of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published online August 03, 2015. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.3874.

[wysija_form id=”5″]

MedicalResearch.com is not a forum for the exchange of personal medical information, advice or the promotion of self-destructive behavior (e.g., eating disorders, suicide). While you may freely discuss your troubles, you should not look to the Website for information or advice on such topics. Instead, we recommend that you talk in person with a trusted medical professional.

The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Karen E. Hansen, M.D., M.S (2015). Vitamin D Did Not Improve Bone or Muscle Health in Post-Menopausal Women MedicalResearch.com

Last Updated on August 5, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD