Vitamin D and osteoporosis

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone mineralisation and maintaining calcium homeostasis.

In most studies of treatments for osteoporosis, adequate vitamin D (and calcium) were entry requirements. Observational data in postmenopausal women taking alendronate, risedronate and raloxifene showed that women who were vitamin D deficient were more likely to have a fracture than those who were vitamin D replete. In patients taking drug therapy for osteoporosis, maintain a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration above 50 nanomol/L.

For advice on vitamin D supplementation, see Vitamin D deficiency.