Vitamin D and Increased Serum Albumin Levels

Across 3 studies, all reported beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum albumin levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate. The evidence is strongest in clinical populations with baseline deficiencies, such as children with nutritional rickets and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, with effects typically observed at 180 days (median study duration). The most-studied dose was 50,000 IU weekly for 6 weeks followed by 1,000 IU/day maintenance, though this was reported in only one study.

• Effective dose range: 50,000 IU once a week for 6 weeks, then 1,000 IU/day
• Studied populations: children with nutritional rickets, postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, newly diagnosed extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). The direct effect on serum albumin was explicitly measured in only one study (the RCT in EPTB patients); the other two studies primarily reported improvements in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, with albumin as a secondary or indirect outcome. Most studies were in deficient or clinical populations — benefit may not extend to healthy individuals with sufficient vitamin D levels.