A possible correlation between vitamin D deficiency and loss of smell: 2 case reports

The purpose of this report is to present 2 cases of diminished olfaction that improved with increasing serum levels of vitamin D3.

Both patients were under the care of medical and chiropractic physicians for various complaints. A 47-year-old hyposmic woman was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency who incidentally noticed a progressive return of her sense of smell while taking vitamin D supplements as prescribed by her medical doctor. A 34-year-old anosmic woman noticed a direct relationship with her ability to smell and vitamin D3 supplementation.

Treatment for the first patient consisted of vitamin D supplementation of 10 000 IU a day. Her serum D3 levels increased substantially over a period of 8 months, at which time she reported a marked improvement in her sense of smell. The second patient was prescribed 50 000 IU of vitamin D a week; and she reported an increased ability to smell, although only the strongest of odors.

A link between hypovitaminosis D and a diminished sense of smell was noted in these 2 individuals.