Which two analytes are decreased in suspected Vitamin D deficiency?

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Multiple Choice

Which two analytes are decreased in suspected Vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D enables the gut to absorb both calcium and phosphate. When it’s deficient, absorption of these minerals drops, so their levels in the blood fall. The body’s response to falling calcium is to raise parathyroid hormone, which helps keep calcium up by pulling it from bone and increasing renal reabsorption, but it also increases phosphate excretion in the kidneys. The net effect is that both calcium and phosphate tend to be reduced in vitamin D deficiency, especially as the condition becomes established. Helpers like alkaline phosphatase often rise due to increased bone turnover. So the pattern you’d expect is lower calcium and lower phosphorus.

Vitamin D enables the gut to absorb both calcium and phosphate. When it’s deficient, absorption of these minerals drops, so their levels in the blood fall. The body’s response to falling calcium is to raise parathyroid hormone, which helps keep calcium up by pulling it from bone and increasing renal reabsorption, but it also increases phosphate excretion in the kidneys. The net effect is that both calcium and phosphate tend to be reduced in vitamin D deficiency, especially as the condition becomes established. Helpers like alkaline phosphatase often rise due to increased bone turnover. So the pattern you’d expect is lower calcium and lower phosphorus.

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