Vitamin D deficiency is common in many populations, particularly in patients at higher latitudes, during winter months and in those with limited sun exposure. Over the counter Vitamin D supplements and increased summer sun exposure are sufficient for most otherwise healthy patients. Laboratory testing is appropriate in higher risk patients when results will be used to institute more aggressive therapy (e.g., osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, malabsorption, some infections).
Sources:
Bilinski KL, et al. The rising cost of vitamin D testing in Australia: time to establish guidelines for testing. Med J Aust. 2012 Jul 16;197(2):90. PMID: 22794049.
Holick MF, et al. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;96(7):1911-30. PMID: 21646368.
Lu CM. Pathology consultation on vitamin D testing: clinical indications for 25(OH) vitamin D measurement. Am J Clin Pathol. 2012 May;137(5):831-2. PMID: 22645788.
Sattar N, et al. Increasing requests for vitamin D measurement: costly, confusing, and without credibility. Lancet. 2012 Jan 14;379(9811):95-6. PMID: 22243814.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Vitamin D Tests: When you need them and when you don’t