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Review
. 2008 Apr;10(2):110-7.
doi: 10.1007/s11926-008-0020-y.

Calcium and vitamin D: skeletal and extraskeletal health

Natasha Khazai  1 , Suzanne E Judd, Vin Tangpricha
Affiliations
Review

Calcium and vitamin D: skeletal and extraskeletal health

Natasha Khazai et al. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2008 Apr.

Abstract

Vitamin D is known for its role in calcium homeostasis for optimal skeletal health. It was previously believed that only elderly or hospitalized patients were at risk for vitamin D insufficiency, but many people in the general US population have insufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D). According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 61% of white and 91% of black Americans suffer from vitamin D insufficiency (25D < 32 ng/mL). Recent studies have demonstrated that a minimum 25(OH)D level of 32 ng/mL is necessary for optimal protection from fracture and intestinal absorption of calcium. Recently, vitamin D has been recognized as important for extraskeletal functions such as immune function, cancer prevention, and hypertension prevention. We review the role of vitamin D in skeletal health and present data on vitamin D in other extraskeletal diseases, with special emphasis on the rheumatology patient.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed algorithm for optimal vitamin D status in patients with rheumatologic disease. 25(OH)D—25-hydroxyvitamin D. *If calcium level is elevated, evaluation for primary hyperparathyroidism may be necessary prior to repletion of vitamin D status.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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