Are 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Adequately Monitors Following Evidence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Veterans?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Description

Vitamin D insufficiency remains a costly pandemic in veterans. Treatment requires achievement of desired 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. The frequency with which 25(OH)D should be measured following treatment remains speculative. A retrospective analysis of veterans with vitamin D insufficiency was conducted. The group was stratified on the basis of initial 25(OH)D and assessed for frequency of follow-up 25(OH)D concentrations. Over 3 years, 278 patients with insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations were identified. Of these, 87 (31%) patients had subsequent levels assessed in the year following initial documentation of vitamin D insufficiency. The likelihood of follow-up testing was unrelated to the initial vitamin D level. In the patients with follow-up 25(OH)D levels, 90% eventually achieved a serum level of 30 ng/mL or greater. Veterans with vitamin D insufficiency have inadequate serial monitoring of 25(OH)D concentrations.

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