Letter to the Editor

Vitamin D: Deficiency or no Deficiency?

Authors: Mohsen Eledrisi, MD, FACP, FACE, Reem Alamoudi, MD, Buthina Alhaj, RN, Rifat Rehmani, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Vitamin D deficiency is a common disorder that can have adverse effects on bone metabolism. There is no universal agreement on the levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] that define vitamin D deficiency. Several cut-off points were suggested, including levels less than 12.5 ng/mL (30 nmol/L), 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) and 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L).1,2 Levels higher than 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) have been recently recommended to achieve better bone and dental health and lower the risk of fractures.3 Vitamin D deficiency is generally associated with increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the level of 25(OH)D at which PTH concentration starts to rise has been postulated to define vitamin D deficiency.

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References

1. Holick MF, Siris ES, Binkley N, et al. Prevalence of Vitamin D inadequacy among postmenopausal North American women receiving osteoporosis therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90:3215–3224.
 
2. Plotnikoff GA, Quigley JM. Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D in patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. Mayo Clin Proc 2003;78:1463–1470.
 
3. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, et al. Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:18–28.
 
4. Levis S, Gomez A, Jimenez C, et al. Vitamin d deficiency and seasonal variation in an adult South Florida population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;90:1557–1562.
 
5. Valimaki VV, Alfthan H, Lehmuskallio E, et al. Vitamin D status as a determinant of peak bone mass in young Finnish men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:76–80.