Surprising
Vitamin D raised blood calcium in kidney transplant recipients — a harmful effect that outweighed some bone benefits in 985 patients.
This meta-analysis is among the first to rigorously tally the trade-offs in this specific population, so the findings are a serious heads-up but not a final verdict — especially since the same analysis found no overall fracture prevention and a significant uptick in hypercalcemia risk.
Across 985 kidney transplant recipients, vitamin D supplementation pushed blood calcium levels higher — a small but statistically clear increase — while also increasing the diagnosis of hypercalcemia. Despite improving some lab markers like parathyroid hormone and hip bone density, it didn't actually prevent fractures or improve overall bone density, making the calcium rise a concerning trade-off that needs monitoring.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Vitamin D for Increased Serum Calcium Level — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Meta-Analysis
- n = 985
- 2025-09-24
- Systematic reviews
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.