For normal bone mineralization and to prevent hypocalcemic tetany, vitamin D maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations and encourages calcium absorption in the gut.Additionally, it is necessary for osteoblasts and osteoclasts to remodel and grow new bone.Immune system performance, cell growth, and inflammation reduction are all influenced by vitamin D.
The serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), which represents vitamin D produced endogenously by sun exposure (80%) as well as dietary intake (20%), is used to determine one's vitamin D status. To become biologically active, vitamin D from the diet or skin synthesis must go through two separate metabolic conversions in the liver and kidney. The liver converts vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), also known as calcidiol, and the kidney transforms it into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), also known as calcitriol, which is vitamin D3's active metabolite.
PTH, calcium, and phosphorus work together to tightly regulate the serum concentration of 1,25(OH)2D3. Hyperparathyroidism and secondary hypocalcemia are side effects of vitamin D deficiency. Hypercalcemia and calcification of soft tissues are side effects of vitamin D overdose.
The fat-soluble vitamin vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is created in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight. Additional dietary sources of vitamin D3 include fish, eggs, fortified milk and cereals, supplements, and eggs. In the liver, vitamin D3 is transformed into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcidiol), and in the kidney, it is transformed into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol).
The active form of vitamin D is calcitriol. It promotes bone mineralization, increases gut absorption of calcium, and controls calcium and phosphorus homeostasis to allow for normal bone mineralization. The immune system, cell growth, and inflammation reduction are additional functions of vitamin D.
Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults can both result from a vitamin D deficiency. Hypercalcemia and the calcification of soft tissues are side effects of vitamin D overdose. There are several forms of vitamin D supplements, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and injectable solutions. In addition to topical gels and oral solutions, vitamin D3 is also offered. There are oral solutions, topical gels, and injectable solutions for vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).