What is Vitamin D Test?
Vitamin D is a nutrient which is important for healthy bones and teeth.
It is of two types: Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D2: It is present in fortified foods such as milk and other dairy
products.
Vitamin D3: It is produced by the body when exposed to sunlight - the
most significant source of Vitamin D.
Both the forms convert to 25 hydroxyvitamin D which is also known as 25(OH)D.
The 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, known for its role in bone health and calcium absorption, also appears to affect immune function, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular issues, and other conditions. Vitamin D occurs in two forms—D3 is obtained from animal diet sources and through sun exposure, and D2 is obtained through vegetable diet sources. Both forms of the vitamin are used to fortify various foods and in supplements. Doctor's Data uses the gold standard LC/MS QQQ method to measure Vitamin D2, D3 and total Vitamin D.
Because of its long half-life, measurement of total 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (D2 plus D3) provides the best assessment of patient vitamin D status and includes vitamin D derived from diet, supplements and exposure to UVB light, such as sunlight. Vitamin D is best known for its role in calcium and bone metabolism, but emerging research indicates that low levels of vitamin D may be associated with increased risk of some cancers, type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, Alzheimer's disease, infections, preeclampsia, cesarean deliveries and neurocognitive dysfunction.
Vitamin D regulates the expression of a vast array of genes in tissues including immune cells, the vasculature, muscle and reproductive organs. Vitamin D insufficiency is common and deficiency can have adverse health effects at any stage of life.
Many testing methods do not differentiate between the two forms of vitamin D, and only total concentrations are reported. This LC/MS QQQ method is sensitive and specific for both vitamin D2 and D3, and each form is measured and reported independently.
Test includes:
Price includes going over results with Dr Dietrich.
Why is Vitamin D test done?
Vitamin D test is suggested for those who show
signs and symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency such as:
- Bone weakness
- Softness
in bones (especially among children's),
- Fractures. Apart from that, Vitamin D
test is also done in:
- Osteoporosis;
- Obesity
- Lack of exposer to Sunlight
- Difficulty in fat absorption
such as cystic fibrosis and Crohn's disease and in patients who have undergone
bypass gastric surgery.
How is Vit D Test done?
By a Blood sample
What results does Vit D mean?
Low levels of Vitamin D indicates vitamin D
deficiency which can be due to following reasons:
- Less Sun exposure
-
Dietary deficiency or
- Decreased absorption in the intestine.
High levels of
Vitamin D level indicates vitamin D intoxication and is usually due to the
intake of a high dose of vitamin D.
Measuring Vit D Helps to:
**To know if any Vitamin D Supplements are needed.
**To Know if their is need to expose oneself to the Sun
**To monitor the efficacy of treatment in patients receiving Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, or Magnesium supplements.
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