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Low levels of vitamin D linked to poor blood-sugar control in diabetics

Category: Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment

Diabetics who are struggling to control their blood-sugar levels may benefit from a vitamin D test, as a new study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University has found that many people who are affected by the chronic disease have low levels of vitamin D.

For the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of 124 patients who had visited an endocrinologist for their diabetes between 2003 and 2008. Each of these patients had their vitamin D levels tested at the time of their visit.

The investigation found that 91 percent of these patients had low levels of vitamin D. Despite receiving regular primary care visits before turning to the endocrinologist, only six percent of the study's participants were taking vitamin supplements.

Esther Krug, who led the research, said that primary care physicians could play an important role in helping their diabetic patients understand the connection between vitamin D and blood-sugar control.

"Since primary care providers diagnose and treat most patients with Type 2 diabetes, screening and vitamin D supplementation as part of routine primary care may improve health outcomes of this highly prevalent condition," she said.