Pre test Information : No Special Preparation Needed

A vitamin D test measures the amount of vitamin D in your blood to ensure that you have enough for your body to function properly. Vitamin D is required for strong bones and teeth. It also aids in the normal functioning of your muscles, nerves, and immune system. 

Low vitamin D levels are a common problem that can lead to bone disorders and other medical issues. Vitamin D testing can tell you if you need to supplement your vitamin D levels. 

Vitamin D can be obtained in three ways: 

• When your bare skin is exposed to sunlight, your body produces vitamin D.
• Certain foods contain vitamin D. Only a few foods, such as egg yolks and fatty fish, contain vitamin D naturally. This is why vitamin D is added to foods such as breakfast cereals, milk, and other dairy products.
• Vitamin D supplements are available.

Before your body can use vitamin D, it must first be converted by your liver into another form known as 25 hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D. The level of 25(OH)D in your blood is measured by the majority of vitamin D blood tests. 

Your kidneys convert 25(OH)D into "active vitamin D." Active vitamin D allows your body to use calcium to build bone and aids in the proper functioning of other cells. If you have kidney problems or abnormal calcium levels in your blood, your doctor may order an active vitamin D test for you. However, this test is not commonly used to determine whether you have enough vitamin D. 

The most accurate way to determine how much vitamin D is in your blood is to test for 25(OH)D. 

Other names: 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, cholecalciferol test, ergocalciferol test, calcidiol test, vitamin D2 test, vitamin D3 test, calcidiol test, calcidiol test, calcidiol test, calcidiol test, calcidiol test, calc 

What is its purpose?

A vitamin D test is used to detect low vitamin D levels in your blood so that you can treat them with supplements before they cause health problems. 

A vitamin D test may be used if you have a known bone disorder or a problem absorbing calcium to determine if a lack of vitamin D is causing your condition. If you have: Your provider may order a Vitamin D test for you if you have: 

• Osteomalacia is characterised by soft bones and muscle weakness.
• Osteoporosis can be caused by low bone density.
• Rickets is a bone growth disorder in children.

Because vitamin D affects so many different parts of your body, your vitamin D level may be checked if you have other chronic (long-term) medical conditions. Inquire with your provider if you should be tested. 

What is the purpose of a vitamin D test?

If you have signs or symptoms of a bone condition that may be caused by a vitamin D deficiency (very low levels of vitamin D), your provider may order a vitamin D test. 

• Bone ache
• Muscle aches or weakness
• Bones that are soft
• Bone deformity
• Fractures and weak bones (broken bones)
• a lack of bone density (osteoporosis or osteopenia)

A vitamin D deficiency (mildly low levels of vitamin D) rarely causes symptoms. So, if you are at high risk of developing a deficiency, your provider may order a test. 

• Are over the age of 65. As you get older, your skin's ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight decreases.
• Expose your skin to sunlight only on rare occasions because you stay indoors, cover up outside, use sunscreen, or live in an area with little sunlight.
• Have dark skin, which absorbs less vitamin D from the sun
• Have you undergone weight loss surgery?
• Obesity is a problem.
• Have a condition that makes nutrient absorption difficult, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease?
• Have kidney or liver disease that impairs your ability to convert vitamin D into a form that your body can use.
• Take medications that affect your vitamin D levels

Vitamin D deficiency can cause serious problems in babies and children. A screening test may be ordered by a provider for: 

• Babies who are primarily breastfed. Vitamin D levels in breastmilk are low (All babies need vitamin D supplements shortly after birth, unless they are fed only formula, which contains vitamin D.)
• Children with darker skin who live in low-light areas
• Children whose diets are deficient in vitamin D

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