Vitamin D Deficiency: Diagnosis and Management in Primary Care

Introduction

Vitamin D is misnamed as it is in fact an import sterol hormone with receptors throughout the body’s organs including pancreas, immune system, breast, gut and blood vessels. Consequently, its role in health and disease is emerging and low concentrations are implicated in conditions such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. (Ref: Vitamin D: the underappreciated D-lightful hormone that is important for skeletal and cellular health, MF Holick Current Opinion in Endocrinology & Diabetes Issue: Volume 9(1), February 2002, pp 87-98).

But, it is best known for its role in the maintenance of calcium metabolism and bone health. Much literature has emerged over the past years to reveal the problem of vitamin D deficiency and the importance of its treatment.

This module is composed of 11 assessment questions and will test the users understanding of typical clinical scenarios relating to vitamin D deficiency; diagnosis and management.

Aims and Objectives

On completion of this resource, you should

• Have an improved understanding of the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency
• Have an improved awareness of the signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
• Understand when to request vitamin D concentrations
• Have an improved understanding of the approaches to the treatment of vitamin D deficiency and to what target levels to treat
• Have an improved understanding of the biochemical and clinical diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency