Standardization of vitamin D assay

It has recently been announced that the Advia Centaur Vitamin D Total assay manufactured by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) is to be re-standardized according to a reference measurement procedure of the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP). Standardization of vitamin D assays will enhance the accuracy and reliability of vitamin D measurement for the detection and treatment of deficiencies, and will ensure reproducible and comparable results are generated over time, location and laboratory procedure.

Recent studies have demonstrated a link between vitamin D deficiency and a number of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. In children, deficiencies can lead to issues such as skeletal deformities, brittle bones and in some cases, premature osteoporosis later in life. This has led to an increased demand for vitamin D testing; however, the absence of a universal vitamin D standard has resulted in different testing methods and assays producing varying results.

In order to harmonize the results and improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases associated with vitamin D deficiencies, the VDSP was introduced in late 2010 by the National Institutes of Health office of Dietary Supplements, who collaborated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Ghent University. The aim of the initiative is to standardize vitamin D measurement worldwide.

David Hickey, Chief Executive Officer of the Chemistry, Immunoassay, Automation and Diagnostics IT Business Unit of the Diagnostics Division of Siemens Healthcare explained, “Standardization of vitamin D assays is critical to harmonizing test results and providing clinicians with greater confidence in the decisions they make regarding their patients’ care.”

Siemens is one of the first commercial manufacturers to re-standardize their assay in line with the VDSP reference measurement procedure. Hickey commented, “Siemens chose to align its Vitamin D Total assay to the VDSP reference measurement to enhance the delivery of consistent and clinically accurate patient results to our customers.”

Sources: Siemens among first to standardize vitamin D assay to enhance accuracy and reliability; Vitamin D standardization; ODS vitamin D initiative.