Comparison of Different Vitamin D Replacement Modalities in Vitamin D-Deficient Patients

Purpose: There is no globally accepted treatment protocol for vitamin D deficiency. Here, we aimed to compare the efficacy of 3 different\udreplacement modalities in vitamin D-deficient patients. Cross-sectional retrospective study.\udMaterial and Method: The study was conducted in the endocrine outpatient clinic at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital between\udMarch 2013 and July 2013. A total of 223 vitamin D-deficient patients aged 18-80 years were given replacement therapy. One hundred twenty\udfive patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to the modality of\udthe treatment they received. The subjects of group 1 were given 300.000 IU vitamin D once orally, those of group 2 50.000 IU per week for six\udweeks and the patients in group 3 received 50.000 IU per week for eight weeks. Biochemical tests were performed before and after replacement\udtherapy in all subjects and the results were recorded.\udResults: The success of replacement therapy was defined as achieving a level of 25(OH)D of more than 20 ng/mL. The rate of treatment success\udwas 97% in group 1, 95.3% in group 2, and 83% in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference in treatment success between the\udgroups (p>0.05).\udDiscussion: Replacing vitamin D with a total of 300.000 IU at once or weekly split doses of 50.000 IU for 8 weeks, as recommended in the\udguidelines, has the same treatment success. Treatment with 300.000 IU vitamin D at once can be an alternative replacement modality in patients\udwith poor complianc