Vitamin test

Vitamins are essential constituents of human diet since they are synthesized inadequately or not at all in human body. Vitamin deficiencies affect all ages, the groups most susceptible to deficiencies are pregnant and lactating women, young children because of relatively high need, chronically ill patients and alcoholics. After gastric bypass surgery patients are at high risk of multiple vitamin deficiencies. Conversely, because of widespread use of nutrient supplements, nutrient toxicities are also gaining pathophysiological and clinical importance. Laboratory investigations play an important role in detecting subclinical deficiencies as well as probable toxicities in asymptomatic patients.

Vitamins are essential constituents of human diet since they are synthesized inadequately or not at all in human body. Vitamin deficiencies affect all ages, the groups most susceptible to deficiencies are pregnant and lactating women, young children because of relatively high need, chronically ill patients and alcoholics. After gastric bypass surgery patients are at high risk of multiple vitamin deficiencies. Conversely, because of widespread use of nutrient supplements, nutrient toxicities are also gaining pathophysiological and clinical importance. Laboratory investigations play an important role in detecting subclinical deficiencies as well as probable toxicities in asymptomatic patients.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for hematopoiesis and normal neuronal function. B12 deficiency may be due to lack of intrinsic factor secretion by gastric mucosa (gastrectomy, gastric atrophy) or intestinal malabsorption (ileal resection, small intestinal diseases) leading to Macrocytic anemia. This assay is useful for investigating Macrocytic anemia and as a workup of deficiencies seen in Megaloblastic anemia.

Neurotropic B group vitamins play crucial roles as coenzymes in the nervous system. Particularly Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) & Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) contribute essentially to the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B1 acts as a site-directed antioxidant; Vitamin B6 balances nerve metabolism; Vitamin B12 maintains myelin sheaths.Their importance is highlighted by many neurological diseases related to deficiencies in one or more of these vitamins. Deficiencies of these vitamins can occur mainly in elderly individuals, diabetics, alcoholics, dialysis patients, patients with gastrointestinal diseases etc. and may lead to neurological disturbances e.g. Peripheral neuropathy. On the other hand neurological adverse effects like ataxia, sensory neuropathy etc. have been demonstrated with long-term or high dose use of these vitamins specially Vitamin B6.

25-Hydroxy vitamin D represents the main body reservoir and transport form. Mild to moderate deficiency is associated with Osteoporosis / Secondary Hyperparathyroidism while severe deficiency causes Rickets in children and Osteomalacia in adults. Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is approximately >50% specially in the elderly. This assay is useful for diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency and Hypervitaminosis D. It is also used for differential diagnosis of causes of Rickets & Osteomalacia and for monitoring Vitamin D replacement therapy.