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Inadequate Vitamin D Levels and High Use of Narcotics in Patients with Chronic Pain
In a March, 2009 issue of the journal Pain Medicine, researchers from the Mayo Clinic
published results which revealed a correlation between the amount of narcotic medication
taken by patients with chronic pain and inadequate levels of Vitamin D (http://newsblog.mayoclinic.org/2009/03/20/ mayo-clinic-researchers-link-vitamin-d-and-chronic-pain-relief/).
The Mayo study discovered that chronic pain patients with inadequate levels of Vitamin D were taking
doses of pain medication nearly twice as high as those patients with adequate levels.
Their pain management regimen often included narcotic-type pain medication such
as morphine,
fentanyl, or oxycodone.
These patients also reported worse physical functioning and overall health perception.
Despite the preliminary nature of these findings, the Mayo researchers pointed to
inadequate levels of Vitamin D as possibly playing a role in creating or sustaining
pain. They cited examples of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia as actually suffering
from symptomatic Vitamin D inadequacy. They suggested that chronic pain patients
on narcotics should get their Vitamin D levels checked.
Assessment of Vitamin D levels and treatment are relatively simple and inexpensive.
Vitamin D levels can be assessed by a simple blood test for 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D.
Since Vitamin D is a natural substance and not a drug, it is readily available and
inexpensive. In addition to the benefits of strong muscles and bones, emerging research
has shown that Vitamin D helps fight inflammation, plays important roles in the
immune system, and helps combat certain types of cancer.
Cerilliant offers a certified reference solutions of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D3 (H-072) and provides numerous DEA-exempt, certified solution
standards of a variety of drug classes used in pain management, including opioids, anticonvulsants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs),
antidepressants,
and
cardiac drugs. Click on the link below to view our featured standards of
vitamins and analgesic drugs as well as their internal standards and metabolites:
Cerilliant
Certified Vitamin Standards
Cerilliant Certified
Solution Standards of Analgesic Drugs
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