Seasonal variation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and its association with body mass index and age

Under most normal conditions the serum level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is constant throughout the year, due to tight biochemical regulation. In contrast to this, the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is variable through the year, being largest in late summer, due to photosynthesis in the skin. The vitamin D status is usually assessed by measuring the level of the latter vitamin D derivative, rather than that of the presumably most active derivative 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D.We here show that for persons with a high body mass index (BMI) there is a significant seasonal variation, not only of 25(OH) vitamin D, but also of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D. The variation seems to be largest for those with the poorest vitamin D status. Furthermore, there seems to be a correlation between the levels of the two vitamin D metabolites, indicating that the regulation of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D is not always tight, notably in persons with high BMI.