Summary
| Direction in Major Depressive Disorder | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Other |
| Compared against | healthy controls |
| Associated symptoms | major depressive disorder |
| Source | He et al. 2020 — doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.12.071 |
| Condition atlas | Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where 25-Hydroxyvitamin D is reported
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Asthma — ↕ inconsistent vs obese asthmatic children with sufficient vitamin D
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Low Back Pain — ↓ reduced vs matched healthy controls
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Migraine — ↓ reduced vs healthy controls
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Multiple Sclerosis — ↓ reduced vs healthy controls
See the cross-condition hub: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D across conditions.
Related Other markers in Major Depressive Disorder
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) ↕
- Homocysteine ↑
- Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) ↑
- Interleukin-1 beta ↑
Full list: Major Depressive Disorder Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is 25-Hydroxyvitamin D high or low in Major Depressive Disorder?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Major Depressive Disorder than in healthy controls. Source: He et al. 2020.
What symptoms is 25-Hydroxyvitamin D associated with in Major Depressive Disorder?
The cited literature associates this marker with major depressive disorder. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures 25-Hydroxyvitamin D?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal 25-Hydroxyvitamin D result diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Major Depressive Disorder. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is 25-Hydroxyvitamin D specific to Major Depressive Disorder?
No. The same marker is also reported in Asthma, Low Back Pain, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from major-depressive-disorder.json · Browse: Major Depressive Disorder atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.