People With Traumatic Bone Fractures Often Have Low Levels Of Vitamin D

New research suggests people with traumatic bone fractures often have low levels of vitamin D.

The research validates the current understanding of vitamin D, in that vitamin D is important in repairing bone damage.

Researchers from the University of Missouri looked at vitamin D levels in 900 adults who suffered traumatic bone fractures from incidents like falls and car crashes.

Seventy-nine percent of men and 76 percent of women had deficient vitamin D levels. Furthermore, 40 percent of the women and 38 percent of the men had severely low vitamin D levels.

The research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Based on the findings, the researchers have started prescribing vitamin D medication for nearly all patients with broken bones as a protective measure to reduce the risk of healing problems.

“More research is needed to demonstrate whether vitamin D medications can reduce the risk of bones not healing properly,” Brett Crist said, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery. “But we know vitamin D is required for repairing damage to bones, and for most people there is very little risk in taking vitamin D medications. At this point, we believe it’s a reasonable step for physicians to prescribe the medication as a protective measure.”

How Do I Know If I’m Deficient In Vitamin D?

A doctor measures vitamin D by testing your 25(OH)D level. Getting this blood test is the only accurate way to know if you’re deficient or not. Here are vitamin D recommendations from three different entities.  

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Reference:

1. US News. Vitamin D Deficiency Often Seen in Traumatic Bone Breaks. 2013.

2. Vitamin D Council.