Optimal Dose of Vitamin D in COVID-19: Survey of 2338 Indian Doctors brings in a First time consensus

New Delhi: Vitamin D levels of 40 ng/mL and above confer a better immune-protective response to several infections, including COVID-19, a pan India Survey of 2,338 pan-India Doctors has brought to consensus for the very first time.

For the first time in India, Rastogi et al. issued a consensus statement to explain the therapeutic role of Vitamin D based on the systematic questionnaire-based and Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey among 2,338 pan-India health care professionals (HCPs).

The observational study has been published in the Asian Journal of Diabetology issue.

Currently, there is a lack of consensus on the use of vitamin D for immune protection and the dose of vitamin D for either prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The goal of the accompanying consensus statement also includes arriving at common dosage and duration of vitamin D for immune modulatory function.

The expert panel highlights the immune-boosting potential of vitamin D and its potential role in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and ICU admission, especially in COVID-19 patients, through regulating cytokine storms via immunomodulatory actions.

The statement offered evidence of vitamin D deficiency in the Indian general population despite the increasing awareness of the role of vitamin D in bone health, cardiovascular metabolism, and immunity. About 30% of HCPs participated in the survey reported that 60-80% of the patients have vitamin D deficiency, while 32% of HCPs in the survey said that 40-60% of the patients have vitamin D deficiency.

With this backed evidence, the consensus statement agreed on a common optimal vitamin D dose at 40 ng/mL and above for maintaining good immunity.

Furtherly, the statement recommends vitamin D supplementation of 60,000 IU/week for 2 to 6 months and 2,000 IU/day for 3 to 6 months in vitamin D-deficient patients for optimal response to therapy in COVID-19 patients.

Reference: 

ASHU RASTOGI, JAYA PRAKASH SAHOO et al. Asian Journal of Diabetology, Vol. 23, No. 2, April-June 2022