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Editorial
. 2014;16(3):111.
doi: 10.1186/ar4568.

Goldilocks, vitamin D and sarcoidosis

Robert P Baughman, Elyse E Lower
Editorial

Goldilocks, vitamin D and sarcoidosis

Robert P Baughman et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2014.

Abstract

While low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk for osteoporosis, excessive amounts of vitamin D may also be problematic. Hypercalcemia and hypercalcuria due to increased vitamin D activity occur in a significant proportion of sarcoidosis patients. Saidenberg-Kermanac’h and colleagues compared vitamin D levels with bone fragility fractures in their sarcoidosis clinic.They found that a 25-(OH) vitamin D level between 10 and 20 ng/ml was associated with the lowest risk of bone fractures and paradoxically higher levels increased the risk of bone fractures. Using less vitamin D supplementation may simultaneously lower the risk for bone fracture and hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic depicting vitamin D metabolism in the body from ergocalcitrol to calcitrol. The conversion is enhanced by increased activity of 1-alpha hydroxylase activity in the granuloma of sarcoidosis patients. The untoward consequences of low or high vitamin D activity are summarized at the bottom of the figure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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