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Kahwati LC, Weber RP, Pan H, et al. Vitamin D, Calcium, or Combined Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Community-Dwelling Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2018 Apr. (Evidence Synthesis, No. 160.)

Cover of Vitamin D, Calcium, or Combined Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Community-Dwelling Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Vitamin D, Calcium, or Combined Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Community-Dwelling Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet].

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Appendix A Table 1Serum Vitamin D Level Reference Ranges

Serum Level (nmol/L)Equivalent Range in ng/mlNAM Description*Qualitative Term Used to Describe This Range
<30 nmol/L<12 ng/mlPersons with levels in this range are at risk of deficiency relative to bone health outcomesSevere deficiency
Between 30-50 nmol/LBetween 12-20 ng/mlSome, but not all, persons in this range are at risk of deficiency relative to bone health outcomesDeficiency
Between 50-75 nmol/LBetw een 20-30 ng/dlMost, but not all, persons with levels in this range are sufficient relative to bone health outcomesSome refer to this range as insufficiency; others contend this range is sufficiency.
>75 nmol/L>30 ng/mlPersons with levels in this range do not consistently have an increased benefit relative to bone health outcomesSufficiency
Above 125 nmol/LAbove 50 ng/mlLevels in this range may be cause for concern
*

As described in: Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2011 Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.5

These are not terms attributed by NAM; rather, these are descriptors commonly found in the literature describing these ranges. Experts disagree about the terms that should be used to describe these ranges, whether these ranges adequately reflect the evidence, and whether these ranges reflect clinical thresholds for action related to supplementation.

Abbreviations: NAM=National Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine); ng/ml=nanogram per milliliter; nmol/L=nanomole per liter.

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