No need for vitamin D screening in healthy people, guideline say
15/06/2011
Healthy individuals do not need to be screened for vitamin D deficiency, according to guidelines released today by the Endocrine Society
Dr. Holick headed a task force appointed by the clinical guidelines subcommittee of the Endocrine Society to formulate evidence-based recommendations on vitamin D deficiency. The subcommittee deemed vitamin D deficiency a priority area in need of practice guidelines.
The task force recommended that those at risk for vitamin D deficiency be screened by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels using a reliable assay. Causes of vitamin D deficiency include obesity, fat malabsorption syndromes, bariatric surgery, nephrotic syndrome, a wide range of medications (anticonvulsants and anti–HIV/AIDS drugs), chronic granuloma-forming disorders, some lymphomas, and primary hyperthyroidism.
In the new guidelines, vitamin D deficiency is defined as a 25(OH)D concentration less than 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L).
(MC)