Healthcare Professionals

We recognized that the endocrinology therapy area had unmet needs with a lack of doses and formulation choices for healthcare professionals and their patients.

Our endocrinology portfolio includes a broad range of vitamin D3 prescription medicines, with our vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) product* there are doses and formulation choices for healthcare professionals and their patients, to meet patients’ needs and increase compliance.

*Not all products are available in all Nordic countries.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that we obtain primarily from sunlight, with smaller amounts coming from our diet, mainly from fatty fish, vitamin-fortified dairy products, or vitamin D supplements.

Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the body has low levels of vitamin D. The body produces vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gut, enabling normal bone development. A lack of vitamin D can result in weaker bones and reduced muscle function.

Causes Vitamin D deficiency

In northern latitudes, we get sufficient vitamin D from the sun only during the summer months, from April to September. This makes the risk of vitamin D deficiency particularly high in winter. Even though some foods are fortified with vitamin D, it can still be challenging to meet the recommended daily intake. The risk increases further if you wear full-cover clothing year-round, follow a special diet, or spend a lot of time indoors. Aging also reduces the skin’s ability to convert UVB rays from sunlight into vitamin D.

Symptoms Vitamin D deficiency

Mild vitamin D deficiency usually presents with vague or no symptoms.

Severe vitamin D deficiency, however, can lead to:

• Bone softening, bone pain
• Muscle weakness, muscle tenderness
• Difficulty walking

Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D levels can be measured with a simple blood test, expressed in units of nmol/L. The threshold for vitamin D deficiency is typically set at 25 nmol/L.

Effective treatments for vitamin D deficiency include soft gel capsules, tablets, or drops prescribed by a doctor. The dosage of vitamin D varies from person to person and depends on the severity of the deficiency and whether there are any underlying conditions affecting the body’s ability to absorb vitamin D.