ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the vitamin D status of a cohort of healthy young Saudi Arabians in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 139 blood donors [87 males and 52 females] answered a questionnaire about their clinical history, including intake of vitamin D supplements and calcium-rich foods and exposure to sunshine. Blood samples were taken for routine biochemistry, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH]3] and plasma parathyroid hormone [PTH] levels. Serum 25 [OH]D levels did not differ significantly between males and females, although the levels were low [10.1 [SD 4.6] ng/mL and 9.9 [SD 4.5] ng/mL respectively]. When subjects with elevated PTH levels were excluded, serum 25[OH]3 levels were still in the deficiency range. There was a high prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency in this sample of Saudi Arabians despite > 65% of participants having adequate exposure to sunlight and > 90% reporting adequati intake of dairy products
