LABORATORY EVALUATION OF VITAMIN D BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDIVIDUALS IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Abstract

During the pandemic, vitamin D was widely consumed as a prevention strategy against COVID-19 due to its role in immunity. However, this practice has increased cases of hypervitaminosis D and toxicity, especially in the elderly, who are more likely to use supplements to strengthen the immune system. This study analyzes vitamin D levels in individuals in the Brazilian Amazon before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, observing variation in levels due to increased supplementation or reduction by recommended isolation to reduce transmission of SARS-COV2. This is a retrospective study, based on a database of a laboratory medicine unit, in Belém-PA, in two periods: before the pandemic, data recorded until 2019, and during the pandemic data from 2020-2023. The research compared vitamin D levels between different age groups and sex, observing a significant increase in values above the safe limit in people aged 60 and over, a group that showed a greater tendency to toxicity. The results show the need for monitoring and medical guidance in the use of supplements, highlighting the potential adverse impact of self-medication.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.042-002