• This was done by weighing the risk-benefit ratio of vitamin D (cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol) and due to the absence of clear guidelines for vitamin D supplementation.

• The guidelines framed by the endocrine society, US, for vitamin D supplementation across ages among those without established indications (like hypocalcemia) are as follows:

• Here, empiric supplementation refers to Vitamin D supplementation above the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and without testing for 25 (OH) Vitamin D]

• The recommendations by age group are as follows:

1. 1-18 years - suggest empiric supplementation to prevent nutritional rickets and reduce respiratory tract infection risk

2. Adult <50 years - against empirical supplementation; against routine 25(OH)D testing

3. 50-74 years - against empirical supplementation; against routine 25(OH)D testing

4. >75 years - suggest empiric supplementation to reduce the mortality risk; against routine 25(OH)D testing

5. Pregnancy - suggest empiric supplementation to lower preeclampsia, preterm delivery and intrauterine death risk; against routine 25(OH)D testing

6. Adults with high-risk prediabetes - suggest empiric supplementation to reduce diabetes progression risk with lifestyle modification

7. >=50 years indicated for vitamin D supplementation - daily low-dose recommended, instead of non-daily high dose.

8. Obese individuals - against routine 25(OH)D testing

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