US Military, like several countries, no longer pays for vitamin D testing unless overtly deficient

Vitamin D deficiency trends, risk factors, and occupational risk in active component service members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2018-2022

Medical Surveillance Monthly Report . 2024 Aug 20;31(8):2-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39255511/

Devin C Kelly 1, Michael Fan 2, Richard S Langton 2, Shauna L Stahlman 2

For those who were able to get tested, risk of having < 20 ng of Vitamin D

Vitamin D contains 2 related fat-soluble substances, D3 and D2, that are essential for bone health and overall well-being. The burden of vitamin D deficiency within the active component of the armed forces is unknown. This study describes trends of vitamin D deficiency diagnoses in the active component of the U.S. Armed Forces. Risk factors for vitamin D, such as military occupation, were examined to see if preventive measures and targeted vitamin D screening would be beneficial, as the United States Preventive Task Force does not recommend universal screening for vitamin D, nor does TRICARE cover screening for asymptomatic individuals. The surveillance period covered January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022. The data were derived from the Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS). Vitamin D deficiency was measured using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM diagnoses recorded in inpatient and outpatient medical encounters. Incidence rate and average annual prevalence were calculated. A logistic regression was performed to obtain adjusted odds ratios. The rates of vitamin D deficiency diagnoses among active component service members (ACSMs) remained steady during the study period, with an incidence rate of 16.4 per 1,000 person-years and an average annual prevalence of 2.2%.

• Female service members,

• those of older age groups, and

• indoor workers demonstrated higher rates of vitamin D deficiency.

Previously described demographic risk factors such as

• indoor work and

• history of obesity or

• malabsorption syndrome

were also associated in this study with vitamin D deficiency in ACSMs, although older age groups in this study were not associated with vitamin D deficiency. Pilots and air crew had the lowest rates of vitamin D deficiency, while health care workers had the highest , when evaluating by occupation.

📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life

As of 2020 TRICARE no longer pays for testing without overt symptoms

Vitamin D Life - Military and Vitamin D - many studies contains items such as

Vitamin D Deficiency in the Military: It’s Time to Act! - Oct 2021

86% of US military no longer have enough Vitamin D (30 ng) – Dec 2020

Soldiers' vitamin D levels dropped by half over 18 years – March 2014

Need for Routine Vitamin D Screening in Military Personnel - letter to Editor 2016

The veterans side of the military have learned: Veterans and Vitamin D - many studies contains

• 40 percent less likely to die if vitamin D was prescribed (10,000 VA patients, no surprise) – Oct 2021

• VA showed increased vitamin D associated with lower health costs - Lancet May 2012

• VA found less testing for vitamin D resulted in increased health costs – Jan 2012

• 3X less Multiple Sclerosis with enough vitamin D - Veterans Administration

Fit athletes appear to need 50ng, wonder why fit military need only 20 ng?

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Vitamin D Life – Overview Deficiency of vitamin D contains

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