Which vitamin is commonly deficient in patients with chronic kidney disease?

The correct response is Vitamin D because patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience difficulties in converting vitamin D to its active form, calcitriol. The kidneys play a crucial role in this conversion process. As CKD progresses, the capacity of the kidneys to metabolize vitamin D decreases, leading to a deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency is significant in CKD as it can contribute to bone mineral disorders, including osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy, which are prevalent due to the altered metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in these patients. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is essential for bone health and calcium homeostasis in individuals with kidney impairment.

While other vitamins, such as B12, C, and E, play important roles in the body, their deficiencies are not as closely associated with chronic kidney disease compared to vitamin D, which is fundamentally impacted by the loss of kidney function.