title: Measurement of vitamin D status: background, clinical use, and methodologies.
abstract: Vitamin D and its metabolites are crucial to the overall health and well-being of humans and animals, having important functions in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Exposure of the skin to sunlight may provide adequate levels of vitamin D; however, there are numerous reports of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol, 25(OH)D) is regarded as the best measurement of overall vitamin D status. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D) is the most biologically active vitamin D metabolite. 25(OH)D has higher affinity for vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) than 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; whereas, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D has higher affinity for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) than 25-hydroxyvitamin D. HPLC and immunoassays allow the determination of vitamin D status, as measured by 25(OH)D, and 1,25(OH)2D. Recently it has been shown that the vitamin D requirements have been underestimated and that vitamin D2 is much less potent than vitamin D3. Future studies will determine the amount of vitamin D3 necessary for optimal health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Immunodiagnostic Systems Ltd., Boldon Business Park, Boldon, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gillian R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Jayne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Furniss
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurie
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Durham
mesh_terms: D002112:Calcifediol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000032:analysis*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014809:Vitamin D-Binding Protein; D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol