What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. This is very important for maintaining bone, teeth and muscle health.
What Are The Symptoms of Low Vitamin D?
Tiredness
Generalised muscle aches
Bone pain
Low mood
Hair loss
Increased susceptibility to infections
Slower wound healing
Quite a few of these symptoms overlap with menopausal symptoms so it’s good to check vitamin D levels too.
What are good sources of Vitamin D?
Fortified Foods (e.g. some fat spreads)
Oily fish
Liver
Red meat
Egg yolks
** Avoid liver and certain oily fish when pregnant **
Do I Need A Vitamin D Supplement?
In England, it is recommended that all adults take at least 10 micrograms of Vitamin D daily during the Autumn/Winter months. Between late March/early April to September most people can synthesise all the vitamin D they need if they have at least 20 minutes of sun exposure/day and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Some people however, may still require supplementation during these months.
There are a few factors that can reduce the skin’s ability and opportunity to synthesise vitamin D including darker skin, older age, reduced mobility…etc so we tend to recommend 10 micrograms daily all year round in these groups. However, if a person is symptomatic (e.g. feeling tired all the time), it is prudent to check the vitamin D levels (as well as other screening bloods) and if the vitamin D level is indeed low, we can advise on appropriate dosage according to the specific level.
** Please kindly refrain from requesting personal medical advice in the comments section as we are not indemnified to provide advice to people who are not formally under our care and will not be able to respond to these comments. If you are in need of specialist advice, please book an appointment with our Menopause Specialist here. **