Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Neuromuscular Diseases
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Posted on Dec 15, 2015, 6 a.m.
Patients with multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson’s Disease, and other neuromuscular disorders commonly have low blood levels of vitamin D.
Essential for the absorption of calcium from the intestine and the utilization of calcium and phosphorus, Vitamin D is vital for the health of at least 36 organs, including the bone marrow, colon, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, and skin. A study conducted in a central Pennsylvania academic institution in the fall and winter months found that among 50 patients with a clinical neuromuscular diagnosis, blood levels of Vitamin D (measured as 25 (OH) D3) among 30 subjects was below 30ng/ml. The study authors write that: “Although [vitamin D levels] can be low in fall and winter, significantly lower levels were seen … among the patients seen randomly in our neuromuscular clinic.”
Sankar Bandyopadhyay, Sol Dejesus. “Surprising prevalence of significant Vitamin D deficiency in neuro-muscular disease clinic in central Pennsylvania” (Abstract #69). Presentation at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) 2014 Annual Meeting, 31 Oct. 2014.
