Vitamin d levels in children : Not thyroid... - Thyroid UK

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Vitamin d levels in children

Vicky789 profile image
14 Replies

Not thyroid related, but you guys know stuff about blood levels and supplements!

I have been giving my 9 year old vitamin d, roughly 1500iu day for the last month as I suspected his levels would be low. Just had blood results and his level at present is 60. What are we aiming for as optimal in children? Thanks for any advice xx

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Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789
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14 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Vicky789,

Replete range in adults is >75. Most aim for 100-150. I don't know whether there is a different paediatric range.

I would continue with 1,500iu for another month and then reduce to 1,500iu alternate days and retest in March.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789 in reply to Clutter

Thanks xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Are you in UK?

Units are different in different countries.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789

Yes sorry UK. They said over 50 was normal.

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to Vicky789

Normal or optimal?

Problem is the optimal level varies from lab to lab.

Where I am labs use 75 while labs a few miles away which can actually be in the same county use 50.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789 in reply to bluebug

I guess we'll be aiming for over 75 then! It's ridiculous to think the difference the government could potentially make to a child's life if they were a little more proactive about these things. I have been reading so much about ADHD type behaviour in children with low vitamin D.

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to Vicky789

It's not the government it is Public Health England, your local council who are responsible for public health and your GP.

Public Health England plus the Chief Medical officers have told GPs to be on the look out.

Local councils vary on whether they pay and promote supplements, and if they do which groups they target. Some pay for none, while others like Birmingham target pregnant woman, babies and pre-school children.

Unfortunately GPs tend to be extremely bad at spotting vitamin D deficiency even though they have been told to look out for it especially in children. Some still seem to presume only one ethnic group can have it, or it is a fad which they don't want to pay the test for out of their budgets, even though they have been told to look out for it in everyone.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789 in reply to bluebug

Thanks for the info! xx

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to Vicky789

The Secretary of State for Health put in that Health bill that means he's now not responsible for anything going on in the NHS. This means health policy on any condition is more likely to be disjointed.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789 in reply to bluebug

I have nothing to say about that man that I would want printed 😶

Please be careful with vitamin d. My daughter was on 1000 a day for a few months her levels rose to 150 (still classed as within normal range) but she suffered terrible effects which after consultation with endocrinologist were told it was due to vitamin d raising her calcium levels which were also still within “range” She developed a heart murmur (thankfully disappeared a few weeks after stopping) her urine output was low, she became confused and lightheaded. I think people absorb and store vitamins differently so always best to keep checking levels.

Vicky789 profile image
Vicky789 in reply to

Wow, not good! How old is she?

in reply to Vicky789

She is 18. I know the majority of people can tolerate large doses even up to 10000 but there are a minority of people’s who’s bodies breakdown, store and react to vitamin d differently. Sure you son will be absolutely fine continuing with his dose just wanted to suggest that you keep checking his levels.

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to Vicky789

As Booboo says be careful with the vitd, I'm one of those who can't tolerate it and same with B12. My level of vitd ranges from lowest 12 highest 30 and it doesn't cause me any trouble.

If starting vitd then start with a low dose and see what happens.

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