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Vitamin D 25-OH

Vitamin D (25-OH), also known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is a blood test that measures the amount of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in many bodily functions, including bone health, immune function, and regulation of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. Vitamin D can be obtained through exposure to sunlight, as well as through dietary sources such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and supplements. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including bone pain, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of fractures. Vitamin D is essential for bone health. In children, severe deficiency leads to bone-malformation, known as rickets. Milder degrees of insufficiency are believed to cause reduced efficiency in the utilisation of dietary calcium. Vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness; in elderly, the risk of falling has been attributed to the effect of vitamin D on muscle function. Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Elevations of PTH levels, especially in elderly vitamin D deficient adults can result in osteomalacia, increased bone turnover, reduced bone mass and risk of bone fractures. Low vitamin D (25.OH) concentrations are also associated with lower bone mineral density. In conjunction with other clinical data, the results may be used as an aid in the assessment of bone metabolism.

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