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25-OH Vitamin D
The 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH Vitamin D) test is the way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. 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 utilization 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.11 In conjunction with other clinical data, the results may be used as an aid in the assessment of bone metabolism.
So far, vitamin D has been shown to affect expression of over 200 different genes. Insufficiency has been linked to diabetes, different forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases and innate immunity.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.