New Delhi, June 8: Vitamin D is not a screening test, and there is no need to regularly test for the essential vitamin good for bones and heart, said doctors on Saturday, amid new guidelines by the US Endocrine Society. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, it is a fat soluble vitamin that exists in two main forms: D-2 and D-3. It is an essential micronutrient important for the development of bones and teeth and also the regular functioning of the immune system.
Several studies have linked its deficiency with common disorders including musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, malignant, autoimmune and infectious diseases. This resulted in widespread supplementation and increased laboratory testing in the general population. The Endocrine Society in the US, this week, issued a new guideline recommending against Vitamin D testing and supplementation for healthy adults till the age of 75 years.
The panel suggested against routine 25 hydroxyvitamin D testing for generally healthy individuals who do not otherwise have established indications Vitamin D is supplemented by probably just about everyone who deals with health, nutrition, health coaches and similar who have absolutely no idea what high levels or doses of vitamin D can do, Phulrenu Chauhan, Section Head Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital, told that, He lamented that laboratories are also offering vitamin D evaluation in their packages.
Vitamin D tests need not be done routinely. This is recom.