Vitamin D and endocrine disorders: routine laboratory diagnostic implications

The role of vitamin D in calcium-phosphorus metabolism regulation is the most highlighted, nonetheless there is enormous literature on the extra-skeletal effects of vitamin D, and lately new insight into the role of vitamin D in endocrine disease mechanisms has seen light of day. The present narrative review gives an overview of the proposed roles of vitamin D in the etiology of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Grave's disease, Addison's disease and primary hyperthyroidism. The implications as pertaining to the routine laboratory practice are readily applicable to this patient group as well, and do not pose any additional challenge.