Abstract

"ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION:Majority of population of India including the state of Punjab lives in areas receiving ample sunshine throughout the year. Despite this fact various studies have shown wide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Indians. There is a need to establish reference ranges for vitamin D in Indian population as the referral values currently being used are based on western studies. The actual prevalence of vitamin D deficiency then needs to be re-evaluated in our population based on these new reference ranges. This is because a large number of Indians have lower levels of vitamin D without actual signs and symptoms of deficiency. AIMS & OBJECTIVES:The present pilot study was planned to get a preliminary estimate of vitamin D levels present in healthy normal population of Punjab. METHODOLOGY:The study subjects included were 52 healthy adults who did not have any signs and symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. Serum Vitamin D levels were estimated in all the subjects by Chemiluminiscence method. Other parameters measured were serum Calcium, Phosphorous, Albumin, Total protein, Alkaline Phosphatase(ALP) & Cholesterol. RESULTS:Vitamin D levels in the subjects ranged from 10.5 to 49.19 nmol/l with a mean value of 16.88 nmol/l. None of the subjects had sufficient levels(75-250 nmol/l) of vitamin D whereas 45 had frank deficiency ( "

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