Interpretation

<20 ng/mL (severe deficiency)

Could be associated with osteomalacia or rickets

20-30 ng/mL (mild to moderate deficiency)

May be associated with increased risk of osteoporosis or secondary hyperparathyroidism

30-100 ng/mL (optimum levels)

>100 ng/mL (Toxicity possible)

100 ng/mL is the lowest reported level associated with toxicity in patients with out primary hyperparathyroidism who have normal renal function. Most patients with toxicity have levels >150 ng/mL. Patients with renal failure can have very high 25-OH-VitD levels without any signs of toxicity, as renal conversion to the active hormone 1,25-OH-VitD is impaired or absent.

These reference ranges represent clinical decision values that apply to males and females of all ages, rather than population-based reference values. Population reference ranges for 25-OH-VitD vary widely depending on ethnic background, age, geographic location of the studied populations, and the sampling-season. Population-based ranges correlate poorly with serum 25-OH-VitD concentrations that are associated with biologically and clinically relevant vitamin D effects and are therefore of limited clinical value.