Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy

Overview:

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate, making it central to bone strength, and it also has roles in muscle and immune function. The body produces it in skin exposed to sunlight, with smaller amounts from food and supplements. It is measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D because that form circulates longest and best reflects overall status, whereas the active form is tightly regulated and can appear normal even when stores are low. Insufficiency is common, particularly in winter, at higher latitudes, with darker skin and with limited sun exposure. Severe deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients, Bone Health, Immune

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker