What is the synthetic form of Vitamin D?

What is the synthetic form of Vitamin D?

• A. Calcitriol
• B. Ergocalciferol
• C. Cholecalciferol
• D. Calcipotriene

Answer: (A)

Calcitriol is the synthetic form of vitamin D because it’s the active hormone form used as a medication. Vitamin D comes in dietary/sun-derived forms like ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3), which are precursors that must be hydroxylated in the liver and kidney to become active. Calcitriol, or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is produced synthetically for medical use and acts directly as the active vitamin D hormone. A related topically used analog, calcipotriene, is a synthetic derivative but is intended for skin conditions and not systemic vitamin D replacement.

Calcitriol is the synthetic form of vitamin D because it’s the active hormone form used as a medication. Vitamin D comes in dietary/sun-derived forms like ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3), which are precursors that must be hydroxylated in the liver and kidney to become active. Calcitriol, or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is produced synthetically for medical use and acts directly as the active vitamin D hormone. A related topically used analog, calcipotriene, is a synthetic derivative but is intended for skin conditions and not systemic vitamin D replacement.