Vitamin D tests certified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinical Standardization Programs (CSP) are well calibrated overall, according to a new study presented Sunday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Boston, Mass.
However, the researchers found some inaccuracies among the assays studied. The blood tests show an "appropriate" level of analytical accuracy, said the study's lead researcher, Otoe Sugahara, manager of the CDC Vitamin D Standardization-Certification Program (VDSCP) in Atlanta, Ga. Analytical accuracy is the test's ability to correctly analyze vitamin D in this case.
The laboratory medicine community decides which level of analytical accuracy is appropriate, Sugahara said. She said, "Some inaccuracies appear to be caused by a lack of analytical specificity and other factors. These inaccuracies may result in incorrect classification of patients' vitamin D status.
" Analytical specificity is the assay's ability to just measure vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for bone health, and vitamin D tests are among the most requested laboratory tests in the U.S.
, Sugahara noted. Vitamin D tests help healthcare providers make a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment decisions for patients. However, many clinical organizations and experts have expressed concern about the accuracy and reliability of vitamin D assays.
" Otoe Sugahara, study's lead researcher The VDSCP began in 2013 to help assess and improve the accuracy and.
