Warnings about High-dose Vitamin D are Misguided

A recent study presented at the American Heart Association noted that patients with consistently high blood levels of Vitamin D (>100 ng/dl) had a 2.5 fold increase in the incidence of atrial fibrillation. What escaped the headlines is that even with the high blood levels, the incidence of atrial fib was only 0.2%, which is 2 patients out of 1000. I certainly agree with the idea that patients taking a high dose over time should have their blood tested occasionally, but we should not be afraid of taking high doses when the benefits so greatly outweigh the risks. See the January 2012 issue of Family Practice News (click here-subscription needed), p. 28.