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Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels After Bariatric Surgery

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Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is common after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, as malabsorptive component of the procedure affects its absorption, and dietary intake is inadequate due to restricted postoperative diet. Obesity itself is associated with low 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels due to larger volume of distribution with increased body fat mass, and studies have confirmed the presence of fat-soluble vitamin D in human adipose tissue. Massive weight loss after gastric bypass surgery is associated with an increase in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels; however, the effect is small, and thus supplementation remains the mainstay of treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in this population. Higher doses of vitamin D are often required, as most patients remain obese after bariatric surgery, and its absorption is reduced. Guidelines recommended supplementing bariatric patients with at least 3,000 IU per day of vitamin D, while doses as high as 50,000 IU 1–3 times weekly may be required in some patients.

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Disclosures

Conflict of interest

Pornpoj Pramyothin and Michael F. Holick declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Animal/Human studies

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand

    Pornpoj Pramyothin

  2. Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany St., M-1013, Boston, 02118, MA, USA

    Michael F. Holick

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  1. Pornpoj Pramyothin
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Correspondence to Pornpoj Pramyothin.

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Pramyothin, P., Holick, M.F. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels After Bariatric Surgery. Clinic Rev Bone Miner Metab 12, 234–239 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12018-014-9172-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12018-014-9172-7

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