Doctor Explains: Who Needs Intravenous Vitamin D Therapy?
Introduction
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium to keep your bones strong. Many people do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight, food or supplements. This can lead to thin and brittle bones that break easily, a condition known as osteoporosis. Older adults often have low vitamin D levels, putting them at high risk for fractures. Getting a vitamin D infusion can help raise vitamin D when levels are very low.
Intravenous (IV) vitamin D treatment gives high doses of vitamin D directly into the bloodstream. This works well when vitamin D levels are very low or absorption from the gut is poor. The IV dose brings levels up quickly.
Who is at Risk for Low Vitamin D
As we age, changes in our skin and diet make it harder to keep vitamin D levels normal. Older adults in nursing homes get even less sunlight, making deficiency very common. Low vitamin D is tied to losing bone mass and breaking bones.
People who keep skin covered up for religious or cultural reasons miss out on sunshine needed for natural vitamin D production. Those using high SPF sunscreens can have the same issue. No sun exposure means lower vitamin D.
Certain health conditions affect digestion and prevent absorbing enough vitamin D from food and pills. These include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cystic fibrosis, and gastric bypass surgery. IV vitamin D goes directly into the blood, skipping absorption issues.
Studies show vitamin D levels tend to run low in obesity as well. Vitamin D gets deposited in fat tissue where the body cannot use it as easily.
Benefits of Improving Vitamin D Levels
Getting vitamin D levels back to normal can help stop excessive bone loss. This leads to fewer painful bone fractures – especially hip fractures that are common and serious in the elderly. Preventing fractures helps avoid extended rehab stays in nursing facilities.
Some research also points to other benefits from optimal vitamin D like improved muscle strength, better balance and immunity, less falls, and potentially lower cancer risk. More studies are still needed in these areas.
Who Should Think About IV Vitamin D
Those with severe vitamin D deficiency on blood testing often require high-strength prescription vitamin D. Typical doses are 50,000 IU given weekly or every other week. But absorption issues can still interfere with oral doses being effective.
Some people stay deficient despite taking vitamin D supplements regularly because their body does not properly absorb the vitamin D from food or pills. Reasons may include past gastric bypass, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac and others. IV infusion skips this issue altogether.
When deficiency is causing frequent fractures or starting certain osteoporosis medications, rapid replenishment is important. Some osteoporosis drugs require adequate vitamin D to work properly and safely.
What to Expect from IV Vitamin D Treatment
IV vitamin D therapy is given through an infusion directly into the bloodstream. This takes 15-60 minutes per session. Dose given ranges from 300,000-500,000 IU. Sessions may repeat weekly or monthly until blood levels normalise. Maintenance may be recommended.
Possible but uncommon side effects include metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, constipation, bone/muscle pain. These are usually mild and temporary. Anti-nausea medication can help prevent vomiting or nausea when needed.
Treatment typically runs around 3-6 months with gradual transition to oral vitamin D at some point. Follow up blood tests are done periodically to ensure correct dosing is given to reach goal vitamin D level (40-60 ng/ml).
Conclusion
Aggressive replenishment of low vitamin D is vital to avoid fractures and dangerous falls. For patients not responding adequately to standard vitamin D doses, IV administration can overcome absorption barriers and resistance.
Restoring healthy vitamin D levels through intravenous therapy works even with digestive disorders causing poor regular uptake. It also improves results when starting osteoporosis medications. Optimising vitamin D status has benefits beyond bone and fractures according to some studies.
FAQs
What are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, fractures with minimal trauma. Often there are no obvious symptoms early on.
How is vitamin D testing performed?
A simple blood test, typically part of routine screening exams, measures the 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. This gives a picture of total body stores.
How much does intravenous vitamin D treatment cost?
Cost per session ranges from $100-300 without insurance. Some health plans may provide coverage, depending on the policy details. It is more expensive but extremely effective.
How long do treatment effects last?
If restored to adequate levels, blood levels usually stay normal for months assuming some continual intake through sunlight, foods/supplements. Maintenance IV doses help sustain effects long-term.
What happens if vitamin D deficiency goes untreated?
Gradual thinning of bones leads to disabling fractures, especially hip fractures, causing extended rehab and reduced mobility. Muscle weakness also worsens over time. Healthy vitamin D levels are vital for healthy ageing.
