Vitamin D Sufficiency is the clinical state achieved when the circulating concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the blood serum meets or exceeds the threshold required to ensure optimal skeletal health and support its numerous non-endocrine biological functions. This threshold is generally defined in clinical practice as a serum level of 30 ng/mL or higher. Achieving and maintaining sufficiency is a primary therapeutic goal to prevent deficiency-related disorders and support systemic well-being.
Origin
This term arose from decades of nutritional and endocrinology research that established the critical role of Vitamin D, now correctly classified as a prohormone, in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. The classification of sufficiency was created to clearly delineate the optimal physiological range from states of inadequacy or frank deficiency.
Mechanism
Maintaining sufficiency ensures that adequate substrate (25(OH)D) is available for the kidney to convert it into the potent, active hormonal form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). This active hormone then binds to the ubiquitous Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) in target tissues throughout the body, regulating calcium and phosphate absorption, modulating immune cell function, and influencing the expression of thousands of genes critical for cellular health.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.