The vitamin-mineral supplement history.
The prolonged use of vitamin or mineral supplements in amounts greater than their recommended dietary allowance (RDA) can lead to medical complications or interfere with the treatment of some diseases. A vitamin-mineral supplement history is necessary to determine whether patients may be contributing to a medical problem and for physicians to counsel patients about the appropriate use of vitamins and minerals. This article provides a three-phased guide for obtaining a comprehensive history of vitamin-mineral supplement use. Phase 1 determines current and past behaviors with respect to kind, dosage, frequency, duration, and constancy of supplement intake. Phase 2 considers patient beliefs about taking supplements and outcomes of supplement usage. Phase 3 outlines considerations important for patient guidance. A vitamin-mineral supplement history should be a routine component of every complete medical history.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001519:Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008903:Minerals; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012651:Self Medication; D014815:Vitamins
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins