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The Unlikely Role of Vitamin D in Post-Op Pain

Research shows that women with vitamin D deficiency are three times more likely to experience moderate-to-severe pain after mastectomy and consume higher amounts of opioids during recovery.

Jyotismita Choudhury | | 2 min read

The Unlikely Role of Vitamin D in Post-Op Pain
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In This Story

Patients recovering from mastectomy surgery may face increased pain and require higher doses of opioid painkillers if they have a vitamin D deficiency, according to research published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

Key Findings

  1. 3x Higher Risk of Moderate Pain: Women with vitamin D deficiency (below 30 nmol/L) were three times more likely to report moderate-to-severe pain during the first 24 hours after surgery compared to those with sufficient levels.
  2. Higher Medication Needs: Deficient patients consumed significantly more tramadol during recovery (112 mg average) and required slightly more fentanyl during the operation.
  3. More Side Effects: Increased reliance on post-op opioids led to higher rates of postoperative nausea among low-vitamin D patients.

Why It Matters

Vitamin D influences immune function and inflammation, both of which regulate how the body processes pain signals. While the observational study cannot prove direct cause-and-effect, researchers suggest checking and supplementing vitamin D levels prior to major breast cancer surgery could offer a low-risk way to ease recovery and reduce reliance on strong pain medications.


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