Serum cholecalciferol may be a better marker of vitamin D status than 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Vitamin D is produced in the skin upon sun-exposure or obtained through the diet. Vitamin D is hydroxylated to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the liver and to the active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) in the kidneys. To exert its effect 1,25(OH)2D has to bind to the nuclear vitamin D receptor VDR. Lack of vitamin D leads to rickets in children and to osteomalacia in adults. 25(OH)D is used as a marker of a subject ́s vitamin D status. Low serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with a number of diseases, risk factors for disease and increased mortality.
Source: Medical Hypotheses - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research