Many members of MyVitiligoTeam have questions about vitamin D. “What is a healthy vitamin D level and how much should we be taking?” one member asked. Getting the right amount of vitamin D can be a valuable step toward controlling some vitiligo symptoms. This may be especially true when it’s combined with other treatment options.

You can get vitamin D naturally from certain foods and sunlight exposure, as well as from oral supplements. Vitamin D is best known for its role in calcium absorption, which is vital for healthy bones and teeth. However, it’s also important for supporting the health of other systems, including the immune system and skin. Vitamin D is a major regulator of our immune system.

If you’re interested in taking vitamins to help treat vitiligo, there’s a lot of information out there. Here’s what you need to know about vitamin D so you can decide if taking it is right for you.

Vitamin D, Autoimmune Conditions, and Vitiligo

Vitamin D is of particular interest for people with autoimmune diseases. A 2022 study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a lower likelihood of developing autoimmune disorders.

A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology concluded that topical vitamin D (applied to the skin) may help maintain skin pigment (color) in individuals with vitiligo. The study found that topical vitamin D helped keep skin cells like keratinocytes and melanocytes alive. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. These cells are destroyed in vitiligo.

Low Vitamin D and Vitiligo

People with vitiligo often have low levels of vitamin D. In one study of 46 people, 76 percent had very low vitamin D levels in their blood. Another study looked at results from 31 research projects on vitiligo that included vitamin D levels. They concluded that most people with vitiligo had low vitamin D levels.

Several people from MyVitiligoTeam have experienced low levels of vitamin D. One said, “Had my blood work done last week for my annual checkup and my new doc actually called me to tell me that my vitamin D is low.”

Another added, “I have to take 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily for the rest of my life since my levels have been so low more than once.” (IU refers to “international units.”)

One member shared that increasing their vitamin D intake seemed to help their vitiligo. They posted two pictures: one from several years ago and a more recent one. The more recent photo showed more pigmented skin than the earlier one. “Although I wear sunscreen all the time,” they explained, “I am mindful of getting outside more in winter and in shorts — to ensure I get significant vitamin D all year round. You can see the difference in just four years, so there is absolutely hope.”

While vitamin D may influence skin pigmentation in vitiligo, more research is needed in this area. There are also studies with varying results. For instance, one study compared 19 people with vitiligo to 19 with other skin diseases. They found that vitamin D levels were slightly lower in the group with vitiligo, but the deficiency was not significant.

Another study indicated that vitamin D levels did not affect a person’s risk of developing vitiligo. This study did not address whether vitamin D may help someone already diagnosed with the condition. However, the results may still be relevant.

A study published in the IP Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology emphasizes the need for more research into the connections between vitiligo and vitamin D. If vitamin D plays a part in vitiligo, its role needs to be better understood.

Talk to Your Doctor About Vitamin D

If you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk to your dermatology team. They may suggest blood tests that will measure those levels. Then, if your levels are low, they can talk to you about options for raising them.

If your vitamin D level isn’t too low, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter supplement. If it’s very low, they may prescribe an oral vitamin D supplement. Increased UV exposure can also help your body produce the vitamin D that it needs all on its own. Vitamin D-rich foods include salmon, egg yolks, fortified dairy products, orange juice, and mushrooms.

How To Use Vitamin D With Vitiligo

You can always take vitamin D in one of the ways listed above to raise your levels. A vitamin D supplement is recommended for individuals with low or insufficient levels. If your levels are in a healthy range, there may be no need to supplement with vitamin D. If you cannot see your physician to have your vitamin D level checked, there are kits available for home testing.

Topical forms of vitamin D such as calcipotriene have been used to repigment (restore color) white patches.

Vitamin D and Microneedling

Microneedling is a procedure where tiny holes are poked in the top layers of your skin. This process stimulates your body’s healing process and is sometimes used to treat vitiligo. It helps your skin get its color back, which is called “repigmentation.”

When used together, vitamin D and microneedling are more effective than either one is by itself. In one study of 25 people living with vitiligo, 52 percent of skin patches treated with both showed significant improvement. Only 40 percent of patches treated with microneedling alone improved at the same rate.

Vitamin D and Corticosteroids

Steroid cream that you rub on affected areas is one treatment for vitiligo. They also work better when combined with a topical vitamin D treatment. In addition, vitamin D lowers the negative effects that steroid treatments can have on the skin. This combination seems to work both ways, as the combined treatment also has better outcomes than only using vitamin D.

Vitamin D and Phototherapy

Several methods of phototherapy (light therapy) can be used to treat vitiligo. Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) therapy, which uses a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light to stimulate pigment cells, and excimer laser therapy, which targets smaller areas with a concentrated UV light, are the main types.

One study showed that NB-UVB phototherapy increased vitamin D levels and led to greater improvement in vitiligo. This study did not use vitamin D supplements. Instead, it looked at higher vitamin D levels caused by NB-UVB exposure.

Some formulations of topical vitamin D may be more effective than others when combined with NB-UVB treatment. Make sure you and your dermatologist talk about all the options before you select one.

Laser therapy can also be more effective when combined with vitamin D supplements. In one study, some participants received vitamin D injections with laser treatment. The vitamin D group showed an 83.6 percent improvement in vitiligo scores. The group that did not get vitamin D improved by only 54.7 percent.

Some studies suggest that vitamin D might help with vitiligo, either through supplements or creams, but more research is needed to be sure. If you’re thinking about using vitamin D to treat vitiligo, talk to your doctor first. They can check your vitamin D levels and help you decide the best way to take it, whether through food, supplements, or other methods. Using vitamin D along with other treatments, like light therapy or steroid creams, might make it more effective.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyVitiligoTeam is the social network for people with vitiligo and their loved ones. On MyVitiligoTeam, more than 13,500 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with vitiligo.

Are you wondering if vitamin D might help vitiligo? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.