[Vitamin D deficiency among immigrants].
Vitamin D deficiency in immigrants has been known in the UK for 30-40 years. In Denmark, we have become aware of the problem only recently. Of 69 randomly chosen Palestinian women living in Denmark 85% were found to have very low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (< 10 nmol/l). Vitamin D deficiency is caused by inadequate exposure to sunlight and a low dietary content of vitamin D and calcium. Typical symptoms are muscle pain, muscle spasms, diminished muscular strength, deep bone pain, and paraesthesias. The diagnosis can be tested by three blood tests: serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum PTH, and serum alkaline phosphatase. If a combination of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and secondary hyperparathyroidism is found, the treatment should be high-dose ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol (100,000 IU weekly). If only (isolated) low 25-hydroxyvitamin D is found, treatment with 1000 IU of ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol in combination with one gram of calcium daily will be adequate.
Glerup
H
H
Medicinsk afdeling C, Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Amtssygehus. h.glerup@dadlnet.dk
D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013472:Sunlight; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control
D004872:Ergocalciferols; D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D002118:Calcium