Who Is At Risk?
Dietary sources of vitamin D are limited.
1.Vitamin D is primarily obtained by cutaneous production from sun exposure. However, many variables influence the amount of UVB from sunlight that reaches the skin and its effectiveness. These include time of day, season, latitude, altitude, clothing, sunscreen use, pigmentation, and age. so less sun exposure cause vitamin D deficiency
2. Older person- elderly people produce 75% less cutaneous D3 than young adults
3. Sunscreen use
4. Periodontal diseases
Who Should Be Tested For Vitamin D Deficiency?
1. Patients who have low bone mineral density or a prior low-impact (fragility) skeletal fracture and those at risk of falling should be evaluated for vitamin D deficiency to reduce the risk of all types of skeletal fractures.
2. Patients with chronic kidney disease
3. Patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, such as bone pain, myalgias, and generalized weakness, because these symptoms are often associated with hypovitaminosis D
4. Patients with gum ( Periodontal ) diseases
Risk factor of vitamin d deficiency
1. Less oral intake
2. Limited sun exposure
3. poor gatrointetinal malabosorbtion
4. Liver disease
5. Renal disease
6. Poor oral hygiene
Test result suggesting of vitamin d deficiency
1. Low urine calcium excretion
2. Elevated parathyroid hormone level
3. Elevated alkaline phosphatase
4.Low serum calcium level
Vitamin D is important for skeletal and nonskeletal health. It is now well established that many people have vitamin D levels that are less than currently recommended for optimal health.