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Goal: To provide an overview of the treatment of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in patients with CKD with vitamin D supplementation via the endocrine and autocrine pathways.

Objectives:

Discuss the physiologic and molecular functions of vitamin D.
Describe the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Discuss non-kidney related outcomes that result from lack of adequate therapy.
Understand the rationale for dual therapies in Stage 5 chronic kidney disease.

Statement of Disclosure: The author has disclosed that she is an employee of Cytochroma, Inc., a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company developing vitamin D products for commercialization.

Acknowledgment: The author would like to acknowledge Robert P. Heaney, MD, for his article "Vitamin D in Health and Disease," which served as a primary resource in the development of this article.

Susan C. Cronin MS.,RN

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