Millions of people take corticosteroids to ease symptoms of arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and lupus, as well as allergies and asthma. A new study suggests that such medications are linked to serious deficiency in vitamin D.
The study of almost 23,000 Americans found that those taking drugs like prednisone were twice as likely to have very low levels of vitamin D. This could put them at risk for a range of health problems including brittle bones. Anyone on such drugs should be monitored for vitamin D adequacy and consider a supplement if levels are below normal.
[Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, online September 28, 2011]
