Vitamin D deficiency is common in risk groups and should be self-managed wherever possible - through education, behaviour change and supplementation as required

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn't get enough vitamin D to function well. Learn about the symptoms and how to get enough vitamin D.

Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) is generally not suitable for treatment of vitamin D deficiency as it has a narrow therapeutic window resulting in an increased risk of hypercalcaemia or hypercalciuria.

It outlines population groups at risk of having low vitamin D, information about sun exposure and vitamin D, and vitamin D screening and treatment. This guideline is intended for use in conjunction with current SunSmart policies and guidelines.

Management of vitamin D deficiency in adults encompasses thresholds, loading and maintenance regimens, monitoring considerations, and when to seek specialist guidance.

Certain medications (including some anticonvulsants) can increase the breakdown of vitamin D. Patients taking these medications are at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency and may require higher doses of vitamin D supplementation.

For most people, deficiency can be prevented by 5–15 minutes exposure of face and upper limbs to sunlight 4–6 times per week. If this is not possible then a vitamin D supplement of at least 400 IU* per day is recommended.

Nearly 1 in 4 Australians has low vitamin D. Learn the symptoms, what your nmol/L result means, how much sun you need, and which supplements may help.

Both vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency are corrected by giving vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 in treatment doses followed by lifelong maintenance doses.

Not readily available in Australia. Medical practitioner can obtain TGA authorisation to treat patient with high-dose vitamin D. Alternatively the practitioner may write a private prescription for a compounding pharmacy.