What Are Vitamin D Injections?

Vitamin D in the form of Cholecalciferol also known as D3 is the same type of D that our body synthesizes from sun exposure. This is what we inject. Our injections are done intra-muscularly which means we inject directly into your muscle (typically the muscle of your arm). This means you get maximum absorption right into your bloodstream or to be stored in your body's fat cells. Each injection is generally ~250,000 IUI of Vitamin D3 depending on the needs of each patient. The body can store Vitamin D in fat cells for months. 

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin D?

Bone Health

  Vitamin D helps the body absorb Calcium in the intestines. Without Vitamin D the body is not able to take in sufficient levels of Calcium to support and strengthen bones. Osteoporosis, or the deterioration of bone density is prevented by the bone remodeling properties of both Vitamin D and Calcium together.

Muscle Function

   Bone health also depends in large part on the muscles surrounding the bone that support them and reduce the risk of falls and fractures. Vitamin D is essential for developing and growing muscle fibers. Low Vitamin D levels negatively impact muscle strength and can cause muscle weakness and pain, known as myopathy. 

Brain Health and Function

  Vitamin D is not just a vitamin, but also a hormone with receptors that are widespread in our brain tissue. Vitamin D's active form has protective effects on the tissues in our brain, like clearing plaques that lead to Alzheimers. Studies have confirmed the association between low cognitive function and diseases like Dementia from Vitamin D deficiency. 

Mood Boosting

  Vitamin D aids in mental focus and deficiencies can cause changes in mental health. Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D can lead to confusion and mental fog. Vitamin D deficiency is inversely related to mood and psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety. Many studies have shown that raising Vitamin D levels with supplementation improves mood markers in those suffering from mood disorders.  

Immune Support

  Vitamin D deficiency is associated with both increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infections. Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory that helps our immune system resist bacteria and viruses by responding to and binding to the body's immune cells. Some of the body's immune cells also play a part in generating Vitamin D that other immune cells then use for their functions. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to to be protective against acute respiratory infections like the common cold and flu.

Why Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements?

There are several reasons why someone might have low Vitamin D levels, including:

• Lack of sun exposure

• Aging (our body's ability to synthesize Vitamin D decreases as we age)

• Celiac or Crohn's disease 

• Darker skin tones that produce less Vitamin D naturally 

If you are in need of Vitamin D supplementation you may have looked into oral supplementation or tried to increase the Vitamin D in your diet by adding in more fatty fishes, eggs or cheese. Some people choose injections over oral supplements because their bodies struggle to absorb enough Vitamin D to keep their levels within a normal range by oral supplements or diet alone. By skipping the gut and going directly into your blood stream, those with who suffer from malabsorption can easily supplement their Vitamin D. Injections boast higher rates of absorption even for the average individual taking oral supplements. 

How Often Should I Get Vitamin D Injections?

We will do a thorough consultation with each patient to discuss their individual needs. However, for most patients who are Vitamin D deficient we will do an initial dose of 250,000 IUI. After 3 months you will receive another dose. At this point you should be able to maintain a healthy level of Vitamin D by only receiving injections every 6 months. Monitoring Vitamin D levels during treatment is important because it is possible to reach a toxic level of Vitamin D. It is important to work closely with your physician and to disclose all pertinent health information to our Nurses at your visit and any subsequent follow ups so we can appropriately dose you.