High prevalence of low vitamin D levels in endocrine disorders

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are widespread medical abnormalities, but their frequency in endocrine diseases has generally not been studied.

AIM: To provide a comparative assessment of vitamin D levels in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), central hypercortisolism (Cushing’s disease; CD) and acromegaly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 25(OH)D was determined using the immunochemiluminescent method (the laboratory participates in the DEQAS program). All patients had GFR > 60 ml/min, no history of use of vitamin D supplementation within previous month.

RESULTS: The study included 365 patients who, after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, were divided into 5 main research groups: 33 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, 23 patients with PHPT, 68 patients with CD, 22 patients with acromegaly, and 141 apparently healthy patients. Significantly low levels of vitamin D were found in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (14.8 ng/ml), acromegaly (14.9 ng/ml), CD (14.6 ng/ml), and PHPT (15.9 ng/ml) compared with a group of otherwise healthy patients (18.8 ng/ml).

CONCLUSION: The results of the study demonstrate a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency not only in groups of patients with chronic diseases, but also among practically healthy patients. Further studies are needed to address the causes of high vitamin D deficiency in the described endocrine diseases.

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