Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders Workup

  • Author: Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 20, 2012
 

Approach Considerations

Serum 25(OH)D

This is the best test to determine vitamin D status. The circulating half-life of 25(OH)D is 2 weeks. A 25(OH)D level of less than 30 ng/mL is considered vitamin D insufficient.[47] A 25(OH)D level of less than 15 or 20 ng/mL have been used to define vitamin D deficiency. Intestinal calcium absorption is optimized at levels above 30-32 ng/mL.[2, 27] Parathyroid hormone levels start to rise at 25(OH)D levels below 31 ng/mL,[48] which is another marker of vitamin D insufficiency.

Parathyroid hormone

Although not always required for the diagnosis of vitamin D insufficiency, a serum PTH may be used to help establish the diagnosis of vitamin D insufficiency. Often, patients with vitamin D insufficiency have a corresponding elevated PTH, indicating secondary hyperparathyroidism. An inverse relationship exists between PTH and 25(OH)D levels.[48] Usually, PTH levels decrease after the correction of a vitamin D insufficiency.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Emory University School of Medicine

Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: NIH Grant/research funds Principal Investigator; Genzyme Grant/research funds Principal Investigator; Amgen Grant/research funds Sub Investigator

Coauthor(s)

Natasha B Khazai, MD  Instructor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine

Natasha B Khazai, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD  Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP Professor of Endocrinology, Director of Training Program, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Strelitz Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska

Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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Findings in patients with rickets.
Radiograph in a 4-year-old girl with rickets depicts bowing of the legs caused by loading.
Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist of an 8-year-old boy with rickets demonstrates cupping and fraying of the metaphyseal region.
 
 
 
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