Methods for the measurement of vitamin D and its metabolites using stable isotope-labeled internal standards and mass spectrometry are reviewed. The synthesis of both labeled and unlabeled standards is illustrated, and details of the synthesis of (26,26,27,27,27-H-2(5))-25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and (28,28,28-H-2(3))-24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 are given. The use of in vitro biologic systems for the production of further metabolites of deuterated 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is discussed. Use of deuterated 25-hydroxydihydrotachysterol 3 as a substrate in the isolated perfused rat kidney has provided valuable data for the assignment of structure to a number of metabolites of 25-hydroxydihydrotachysterol 3 formed in this system.