What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been traditionally known as anti-ricketic factor, recently it has been recognized to subserve a wide range of fundamental functions in cell differentiation, inhibition of cell growth as well as immunomodulation. Maintaining a healthy level of Vitamin D may play a key role in preventing certain cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardio-vascular disease, stroke and other health problems's. In addition, Vitamin D may be useful in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Patients for whom Vitamin D should be tested:

• Osteoporosis patients {with or without fracture)
• Patients With chrome renal disease
• Elderly patients suffering regular fall without any explanation
• Patients receiving corticosteroid therapy
• Patients having disease characterized by malabsorption {celiac disease. cystic fibrosis)
• Patients presenting with bone & muscle pain without any explanation
• Patients With primary hyperparathyroidism
• Patients being evaluated for calcium/phosphorus metabolism

Identifying high risk Individuals

• People with limited exposure to sunlight
• People With naturally dark skin
• Adults older than 50 years of age
• Infants who are exclusively breast-fed or receive less than about 2 cups a day of Vitamin D-fortified formula milk
• Obese individuals

What are the health risks?

• In children, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a bone disease that results in poorly developed, weak bones, delayed growth, immune deficiencies and severe seizures
• Vitamin D deficiency can affect bone health in adults as well
• It may lead to osteomalacia, a condition that results in weak bones, fractures, bone pain and weak muscles
• Low levels of Vitamin D may also play a role in the development of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), which can lead to fractures.

Other health problems are now being linked to low (Insufficient) levels of Vitamin D

Infants and young children with insufficient Vitamin D levels may for the rest of their lives be at an increased risk of developing diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases (all conditions related to poor immune system function), as well as many common cancers.
People with insufficient Vitamin D levels may be more likely to develop colon, endometrial, skin, pancreatic or prostate cancer than those who maintain healthy levels of Vitamin D
Vitamin D insufficiency is now linked with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart failure and dea•t• h due to heart attack or stroke.

Following levels are Indicative for 25 Hydroxy:

 

Clinical Indications	1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-D), the active metabolite of vitamin D is formed in the kidney from 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-D). 1,25-D may also be produced by other cells in some pathological conditions (sarcoidsosis,
Specific Criteria	Investigation of inherited rickets/vitamin D dependent rickets. 1-25-D may also be useful to confirm hypercalcaemia due to sacrcoidosis and in the investigation of oncogenic osteomalcia.