Naturally high vitamin D level of 75, male, 45, eats relatively clean diet with fatty fish or seafood once every two to four weeks. Rarely eats organ meats, some bread and pasta at times, active in outdoor pursuits, but careful to use sunscreen due to multiple BCC. Not supplementing with cod liver oil or vitamin D. Is it possible to have vitamin D, 25(OH)D level of 75? Would you consider this normal or not?

Chris Kresser:  There are some studies that were done on lifeguards in Israel, where they had pretty high vitamin D levels up into the 70s. But that’s pretty high and it’s unusual, I will definitely say that. It’s possible that person has genetics that lead to naturally higher 25(OH)D levels. It’s not really clear. They may just be on the high end of the spectrum naturally. One thing you said, he’s active in outdoor pursuits but uses sunscreen, and I’m not sure where he lives. Because that might make a difference, but definitely a high 25(OH)D level is somewhat unusual. You might want to check calcitriol. If there is some difference in or inhibition of conversion of 25(OH)D to calcitriol, that might help clarify the picture, at least give us a little more data on what’s going on.