Revolutionary advances in the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has bee associated with bone diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Recent clinical studies have pointed out that these diseases could be prevented by either adequate sun exposure or oral vitamin D3 supplementation. In an effort to prevent these illnesses, emergency physicians and other clinicians must be aware of technological advances in the measurement of serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Realizing the importance of diagnosing vitamin D deficiency, we reviewed the following advanced diagnostic techniques: liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, radioimmunoassay, and DiaSorin's immunochemiluminometric automated analyzer LIASION®. On the basis of this review, we have found that each of these diagnostic tests has documented limitations, and therefore we recommend an international standardization of these assays to accurately diagnose vitamin D deficiency.