It’s starting to feel like spring out there, and there are lots of interesting things going on in the world. Today I’ll be sharing some interesting information about vitamin D, 2020 overdose numbers, and a higher standard of testing we’re adhering to here at ILDP.
Benefits of Vitamin D
A recent study involving 12,786 men aged 50 or over and 13,085 women aged 55 and older found that Vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 22% reduction in confirmed risk for autoimmune diseases. Most of us already realize that Vitamin D levels have been studied and have proven to be of value in Covid-19 patients. One study of more than 1.2 million people of European ancestry from 11 different countries found that those with genetic variants that resulted in naturally higher levels of Vitamin D did NOT have a lower risk for Covid-19. A bit of contradiction isn’t it? Not really. Vitamin D is critical for bone and mineral metabolism. That is a fact. We know Vitamin D receptors are expressed on immune cells such as B cells, T cells, and antigen-presenting cells. Therefore Vitamin D has the potential to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Do you think we are having adaptive immune responses to Covid-19? Hello!
It is a fact that Vitamin D deficiency is common among persons of Hispanic and African American race. Are these not the two most represented groups with Covid? Look, I don’t know if Vitamin D supplementation will help overcome Covid in the long run, but it is a supplement and not a rushed-to-the-market drug. If taking appropriate doses we know it does not cause harm. Why not take it?
2020 – The Worst Year on Record for Overdose Deaths
I know I have visited this before, but it is important. Did you know that 2020 was the worst year on record for overdose deaths in the US and our northern neighbor? Recently an article came out stating, “Clinicians should begin learning about responsible pain management prescribing in medical school and continue to learn about it as part of their commitment to continued medical education throughout their careers.” Oh, come on! Really?!? Do you not think that providers don’t know what risk pain meds have if given out indiscriminately? Movies have been made about this. This is more about controlling big (GIANT) pharma as well as stopping the providers from being able to circle the wagons.
I think appropriate prescribing of pain medication is absolutely necessary. Appropriate is the keyword. We have to set the correct expectations for our patients from the get-go! They need to understand that the purpose of taking the pain med is not to receive that sensation the meds produce but to take as little as possible to perform age-appropriate ADLs. Ok, I will get off my bandwagon.
Tier One Testing
Caresource, BCBS, United, Molina, and others have started to force providers (and the lab) to test at Tier one levels (G0480). Some of the policies come out and say it and others do it in their wording of what is appropriate to order confirmation. In the coming weeks to months, ILDP will be helping providers and clinics to test within these parameters and still get tested what they need to be tested. We always want you to feel as if we are your partner in the care of your patients. We do appreciate your business.
President/CEO Industry Lab Diagnostic Partners