Non-urgent advice: Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: Buckinghamshire Guidance
Vitamin D supplements can be bought over the counter and are usually not prescribed by your GP.
Free vitamin supplements containing vitamin D are available for women and children from families eligible for the Government’s Healthy Start scheme. These come as tablets for women and drops for children.
Why don’t we prescribe vitamin D that you can buy over the counter?
Prescriptions are reserved for people with confirmed vitamin D deficiency or specific health conditions. For most people, buying vitamin D supplements yourself is the recommended approach.
Understanding Your Vitamin D Blood Test Results (for adults without osteoporosis)
Sufficient vitamin D (>50 nmol/L): Your levels are adequate. You may choose to take a maintenance dose of 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily, available over the counter.
Insufficient vitamin D (25–50 nmol/L): Take 800 IU (20 micrograms) daily, either alone or with calcium depending on your dietary calcium intake. Use the Calcium Intake Assessment Tool in the Buckinghamshire guidance to check your calcium levels. Please contact us after 6 months for a re-test.
Deficient vitamin D (<25 nmol/L): We will prescribe a short course of high-dose vitamin D to start treatment. After this, take 800 IU (20 micrograms) daily as above. Contact us after 3 months for a re-test.
If your re-test shows vitamin D levels above 50 nmol/L, continue with a maintenance dose of 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily and follow dietary and lifestyle advice. If levels remain below 50 nmol/L, we will advise you on further treatment.
For Patients with Osteoporosis
Aim for a daily calcium intake of 800–1200 mg (use the Calcium Intake Assessment Tool to check). If your diet is low in calcium, consider supplements.
– Ensure adequate protein intake, ideally from dairy
– Take 800 IU (20 micrograms) of vitamin D daily
– Follow advice on alcohol, smoking, and weight-bearing exercise from the Royal Osteoporosis Society
What Are Vitamin D and Calcium?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and supports muscle strength, which helps prevent falls. It is essential for strong bones in children and maintaining bone health in adults.
Calcium is vital for healthy bones and teeth, blood clotting, muscle function, and heart health. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from diet or supplements.
Who Is at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?
– Pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially teenagers and young women
– Infants and young children under 5 years
– People aged 65 and over
– Those with little sun exposure (e.g., housebound, cultural clothing)
– People with darker skin (e.g., African, African-Caribbean, South Asian origins)
UK Health Department Recommendations
All pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU).
Infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years should take daily vitamin D drops unless they consume more than 500ml of infant formula daily (which is fortified with vitamin D).
People aged 65 and over, and those with limited sun exposure, should take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU).
Where to Get Free or Low-Cost Vitamin D Supplements
Eligible families can get free Healthy Start vitamin supplements (tablets for women, drops for children).
Vitamin D supplements are widely available at pharmacies and supermarkets at low cost.
Free vitamin supplements containing vitamin D are available for women and children from families eligible for the Government’s Healthy Start scheme. These come as tablets for women and drops for children.
Why don’t we prescribe vitamin D that you can buy over the counter?
Prescriptions are reserved for people with confirmed vitamin D deficiency or specific health conditions. For most people, buying vitamin D supplements yourself is the recommended approach.
Understanding Your Vitamin D Blood Test Results (for adults without osteoporosis)
Sufficient vitamin D (>50 nmol/L): Your levels are adequate. You may choose to take a maintenance dose of 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily, available over the counter.
Insufficient vitamin D (25–50 nmol/L): Take 800 IU (20 micrograms) daily, either alone or with calcium depending on your dietary calcium intake. Use the Calcium Intake Assessment Tool in the Buckinghamshire guidance to check your calcium levels. Please contact us after 6 months for a re-test.
Deficient vitamin D (<25 nmol/L): We will prescribe a short course of high-dose vitamin D to start treatment. After this, take 800 IU (20 micrograms) daily as above. Contact us after 3 months for a re-test.
If your re-test shows vitamin D levels above 50 nmol/L, continue with a maintenance dose of 400 IU (10 micrograms) daily and follow dietary and lifestyle advice. If levels remain below 50 nmol/L, we will advise you on further treatment.
For Patients with Osteoporosis
Aim for a daily calcium intake of 800–1200 mg (use the Calcium Intake Assessment Tool to check). If your diet is low in calcium, consider supplements.
– Ensure adequate protein intake, ideally from dairy
– Take 800 IU (20 micrograms) of vitamin D daily
– Follow advice on alcohol, smoking, and weight-bearing exercise from the Royal Osteoporosis Society
What Are Vitamin D and Calcium?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and supports muscle strength, which helps prevent falls. It is essential for strong bones in children and maintaining bone health in adults.
Calcium is vital for healthy bones and teeth, blood clotting, muscle function, and heart health. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from diet or supplements.
Who Is at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?
– Pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially teenagers and young women
– Infants and young children under 5 years
– People aged 65 and over
– Those with little sun exposure (e.g., housebound, cultural clothing)
– People with darker skin (e.g., African, African-Caribbean, South Asian origins)
UK Health Department Recommendations
All pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU).
Infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years should take daily vitamin D drops unless they consume more than 500ml of infant formula daily (which is fortified with vitamin D).
People aged 65 and over, and those with limited sun exposure, should take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU).
Where to Get Free or Low-Cost Vitamin D Supplements
Eligible families can get free Healthy Start vitamin supplements (tablets for women, drops for children).
Vitamin D supplements are widely available at pharmacies and supermarkets at low cost.