Abstract

Vitamin D inadequacy is a global concern, including in Bangladesh, where the optimal vitamin D level for the population remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the reference interval of vitamin D levels for the adult population in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with two population groups. Group 1 consisted of 125 healthy coastal fishermen, representing an ideal population for assessing vitamin D health due to adequate sun exposure. The reference interval of vitamin D was determined based on CLSI Guidelines C28-A3. Group 2 included 371 ostensiblyhealthy urban dwellers to identify the lower cut-off value of optimal vitamin D levels by examining the correlation between serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D. Results: The reference interval of vitamin D levels was 15.88-45.27 ng/ml. The analysis revealed a PTH deflection point at 16.3 ng/ml (95% CI: 8.9, 22.5)of 25-hydroxy vitamin Dlevel.Conclusion: This study provides insights into the optimal vitamin D level for the adult population in Bangladesh. The reference interval obtained from coastal fishermen can serve as a basis for establishing the recommended vitamin D level. Determining the optimal vitamin D level will help assess the burden of deficiency in the country and guide preventive measures at a national level.

Keywords: Vitamin D,parathyroid hormone,reference interval, cut-off value, deflection point, coastal fishermen, urban population, View Synonyms and Definitions