What About Vitamin D Toxicity
Vitamin D toxicity should not be diagnosed solely on the basis of an elevated 25D level instead, it should be recognized as a clinical syndrome of both hypervitaminosis D and hypercalcemia, in which hyperphosphatemia and hypercalciuria also commonly occur. Patients with vitamin D toxicity could present with clinical symptoms and signs of hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria . Hypervitaminosis D in the absence of hypercalcemia may prompt further investigation to evaluate the etiology of increased vitamin D levels however, unlike hypercalcemia, it is not a medical emergency. Although excess vitamin D supplementation can lead to hypercalcemia, vitamin D toxicity is extremely rare and generally occurs only after ingestion of large doses of vitamin D for prolonged periods in patients with normal gut absorption or in patients who may be concurrently ingesting generous if not excessive amounts of calcium. A 25D level of 80 ng/mL is the lowest reported level associated with toxicity in patients without primary HPT with normal renal function. Most patients with vitamin D toxicity have levels greater than 150 ng/mL.28 Binkley et al21 have recently reported that vitamin D supplementation with 1600 IU/d or 50,000 IU monthly was not associated with any laboratory parameters of toxicity and even failed to increase total 25D levels above 30 ng/mL in 19% of participants.
Vitamin D Testing In Children
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency can be a problem in infants and children. Vitamin D deficiency can cause a serious disease called rickets that affects bone development. Rickets may result in skeletal deformities, impaired growth, short stature, and dental problems.
Vitamin D deficiency in childhood is more common in countries where a large portion of the population is malnourished. However, certain risk factors that increase the chances of vitamin D deficiency can occur in infants and children in any country and include:
- Exclusive breastfeeding since breast milk has low vitamin D content
- Lack of sunlight exposure, darker skin pigmentation, and sunscreen use
- Diets that limit intake of vitamin D-fortified foods
Health care providers may order vitamin D testing for infants and children with symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, such as skeletal changes. Some health providers will also screen young patients without symptoms, such as exclusively breastfed infants, children whose skin is darkly pigmented who live in areas with low sun exposure, and children whose diets are low in vitamin D.
What Do The Results Mean
Your test results may be reported in different ways. It may give you a total vitamin D result, or it may include separate results for vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. These two types of vitamin D work about the same in your body. Your total vitamin D level is the sum of these two types. The total vitamin D number is the important number.
If your total vitamin D level shows a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, it may mean you:
- Don’t get enough vitamin D from your diet and/or exposure to sunlight
- Have trouble absorbing vitamin D in your food, which may be a sign of a malabsorption disorder
- Have trouble changing vitamin D into a form your body can use, which may be a sign of kidney or liver disease
The treatment for low vitamin D levels is usually supplements and/or dietary changes. This is usually safer than getting more sun, which may cause skin cancer.
If your total vitamin D level shows you have too much vitamin D, it is most likely from getting too much from supplements. This is very uncommon, but if it happens, you’ll need to stop taking these supplements to reduce your vitamin D levels. Too much vitamin D can cause serious damage to your organs and blood vessels. If you take vitamin D supplements, ask your provider what dose is right for you.
To learn what your vitamin D test results mean, talk with your provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
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Heres What You Need To Know
There are estimated daily intake values of Vitamin D and calcium that have been published since 2010 and are based on an individuals age and their current life situation. The estimate average requirement begins at 500mg per day for calcium and 400mg per day of Vitamin D. The amount of Vitamin D does not change as people age, but the amount of calcium required tops out at 1,000mg per day for women who are above the age of 51.
Many people can get the Vitamin D that they need from fortified foods. This is especially critical in climates where there is limited sunlight exposure available. It may also be necessary in high sun environments where extensive use of sunscreen occurs. Milk and infant formulas are the two most commonly fortified foods that are available. This vitamin only naturally occurs in a few foods like cod liver oil, so drinking fruit juice, milk, and breakfast cereals is important, especially for children.
For kids, having a Vitamin D deficiency can lead to the development of juvenile rickets.
It is important to look at the ingredients of a calcium supplement before adding Vitamin D as an additional supplement. Many calcium supplements contain Vitamin D in them because it is necessary to have the vitamin present for the calcium to be processed properly.
Deficiencies in these vitamins may increase the risk of certain serious health issues developing in the future.
Why Do I Need To Undergo A Vitamin D Test
The test is done to assess the vitamin D levels in the body so that it can be determined whether you need supplements or more exposure to the sun. Many doctors do not recommend testing in healthy individuals unless there are specific symptoms present. The test is done specifically for some individuals who have the following issues. Individuals with a body mass index of 30 or greater and suffering from obesity can have deficiencies. Intake of certain medicines like phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampin. Those diagnosed with osteoporosis, bone weakness or bone softness. Individuals with limited sun exposure. Anyone with diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease or celiac disease prevents the normal absorption of vitamins in the body. Previous gastric bypass surgery or weight-loss surgery. Inadequate vitamin D absorption due to advanced age or conditions in which fat is not absorbed well in the body. People who have dark skin or wear total skin covering are also at risk of a deficiency.
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Testing Your Patients For Vitamin D12
Many physicians recognize the importance of testing vitamin D levels in their high-risk patients, such as older adults and those who are dark-skinned or receive little or no sun exposure. Patients with low vitamin D levels are at risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, as well as cancer and respiratory disease. Patients who are pregnant or lactating should be tested too, since they represent another high-risk group. Deficiency in pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia, and deficiency while lactating can cause rickets in infants.
An important part of the testing process is advising patients on their vitamin D supplementation needs based on their test results. Heres what you need to know.
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Explain The Complete Process Involved
- You can either book on our website or Choose to receive a call back from our Health Advisor / Doctor.
- Our Health advisor and Medical team will be involved to guide you in the complete cycle of the testing process and will facilitate the diagnosis process for prevention of any disease.
- Your health vitals and history will be taken for pre-diagnosis and for suggesting the relevant tests through Health Karma or you can also share your prescription with our medical team.
- Once you confirm your booking, a trained Phlebotomists will be assigned to visit you on your chosen time and pickup address and for collection of sample. Phlebotomist may also take other vitals if suggested in the pre diagnosis.
- Your sample will then be transported to the nearest collection hub maintaining the integrity of the sample and will be centrifuged before sending to the lab for processing.
- Once the results are processed in the Healthians / Partner Lab, medical team at Healthians will verify the results and a smart report including historical trends and vitals information submitted by you along with simple interpretations will be shared with you.
- You will also be offered a post report counselling by our Doctors as a part of the healthcare service offered to you.
- Healthians offers 24*7 customer support to resolve any of your concern during and after the entire diagnosis process.
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What Is Being Tested
Your skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D from food or supplements. The liver changes the vitamin D from the skin or food into a storage form called 25-hydroxy-vitamin D. It is this form that is usually measured in the vitamin D test.
Other forms of vitamin D can also be measured, depending on your specific circumstances.
About Our Vitamin D 25
This test measures Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy levels in the blood to check for vitamin D deficiencies. The major function of vitamin D in humans is maintenance of calcium homeostasis. Individuals who are interested in vitamin D testing related to hypocalcemia and/or monitoring renal osteodystrophy or chronic renal failure should order our Vitamin D 25-Dihydroxy Test, not this test.
Vitamin D is absorbed through sunlight, food, and drinks that contain it. After being consumed Vitamin D turns into Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy . This fat-soluble vitamin plays a major growth and development of bones and teeth. Typically, Vitamin Ds most common subcategories are Vitamin D2 and D3 Vitamin D2 comes from digesting vitamin D from plant and fungal food sources, and vitamin D3 is absorbed via the skin when it takes in sunlight.
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Normal Healthy And Optimum Level Of 25
Singh G1* and Drees BM1
1Department of Pathology, Georgia Regents University Medical Center, USA
2Department of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, USA
*Corresponding author: Singh G, Department of Pathology, Georgia Regents University Medical Center 1120, 15th Street, BI 2008 A, Augusta, GA 30912
Received: March 19, 2015 Accepted: April 20, 2015 May 04, 2015
What Is The Vitamin D 25
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The information mentioned above is meant for educational purposes only and should not be taken as a substitute to your Physicians advice. It is highly recommended that the customer consults with a qualified healthcare professional to interpret test results
- +About Apollo 247
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Study Participants And Design
Adult TB cases were recruited from the Medical Research Council TB clinic in Fajara, The Gambia. The diagnosis of active TB was established on the basis of smear positivity for acid-fast bacilli of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . All mycobacterial cultures were identified and confirmed using standard procedures. Household contacts of confirmed index cases were visited to assess their TB infection status and were followed for 2 years from recruitment. Tuberculin skin test was used as a measure of mycobacterial infection and was performed using 2 tuberculin units of purified peptide derivative RT23 injected intra dermally into the volar aspect of the forearm and read at 4872 h. TST was performed prior to any blood sampling of study participants. A reading of 10 mm was considered positive, and indicative of mycobacterial infection. The diagnosis of latent TB infection was established on the basis of absence of TB symptoms, absence of radiologic abnormalities of active TB and positivity for TST.
Vitamin D2/d3 25 Hydroxy By Lc
NEW YORK DOH APPROVED: YESCPT Code: Includes:ABN Requirement: SynonymsSpecimenVolumeContainer:
Collection:
Serum:
Special Instructions: Minimize sample exposure to direct sunlight.
Transport: Store plasma at 2°C to 8°C after collection and ship the same day per packaging instructions provided with the Cleveland HeartLab shipping box.
Stability:
Ambient : 21 daysRefrigerated : 21 daysFrozen : 185 daysDeep frozen : 185 days
Causes for Rejection: Specimens other than EDTA plasma or serum improper labeling samples not stored properly samples older than stability limits or grossly hemolyzed samples.
Methodology: High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Turn Around Time: 3 to 5 days
Relative Risk Status of Vitamin D Sufficiency
| Age |
|---|
Use: Monitoring vitamin D status
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
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What Is The Procedure Of The 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D Test
It is a simple procedure that requires a blood sample. Doctors may tell you not to eat anything for 4-8 hours prior to this lab test. At the time of the test, a healthcare professional will draw blood from your vein using a needle. The blood sample is then sent for lab test for evaluation. Your doctor will asses the results and let you know whether you have high, low, or normal level of vitamin D.
Causes Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can occur for a number of reasons:
You don’t consume the recommended levels of the vitamin over time. This is likely if you follow a strict vegan diet, because most of the natural sources are animal-based, including fish and fish oils, egg yolks, fortified milk, and beef liver. Here are the best vitamin d foods for vegetarians.
Your exposure to sunlight is limited. Because the body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, you may be at risk of deficiency if you are homebound, live in northern latitudes, wear long robes or head coverings for religious reasons, or have an occupation that prevents sun exposure. Duirng the winter, vitamin D deficiency can be more prevalent because there is less sunlight available.
You have dark skin. The pigment melanin reduces the skin’s ability to make vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure. Some studies show that older adults with darker skin are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Your kidneys cannot convert vitamin D to its active form. As people age, their kidneys are less able to convert vitamin D to its active form, thus increasing their risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Your digestive tract cannot adequately absorb vitamin D. Certain medical problems, including Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease, can affect your intestine’s ability to absorb vitamin D from the food you eat.
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What Is The Normal Range For Vitamin D In A Blood Test
Your body uses vitamin D for maintaining healthy bones and effectively absorbing calcium. Not having enough vitamin D in your system may raise your risk of osteoporosis, bone malformations, cancer, inflammation and suppressed immunity. A simple blood test can give you accurate results and help you determine if your vitamin D levels are in the healthy range.
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Why Normal Levels Can Differ Across Different Labs
Each laboratory must establish its own normal ranges for vitamin D in the blood. These ranges depend on the makeup of the local population, the technologies used and the accuracy of the measurement. There may be also slight differences in the normal levels, according to age, gender, race or ethnic origin, geographic region, diet, type of sample and other relevant status.
Your doctor will study the results along with your medical record, screenings, physical condition, symptoms and any other relevant information about your situation.
Vitamin D levels depend on the exposure to the sunlight. They show seasonal variation with the highest concentrations in summer or fall and the lowest concentrations in winter or spring. In addition, the production of vitamin D has been reported to decrease with age.
The values shown above refer to the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test which is the main circulating form of vitamin D in the blood. However, there is also a test to measure the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the blood and the normal ranges for it are 15 to 60 pg/mL .
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Questions For Your Doctor About Test Results
You may wish to ask your doctor or other health care provider questions about your vitamin D test results, such as:
- Do my vitamin D test levels indicate a deficiency or insufficiency?
- Do my test results show that I have been taking too much vitamin D as a supplement?
- Will additional testing be needed?
- Do my test results indicate that treatment is needed?
How Prevalent Is Vitamin D Deficiency And Who Is At Risk
Worldwide, naturally occurring dietary sources of vitamin D are limited, and food fortification is optional, inconsistent, inadequate, or nonexistent. Therefore, for most people, vitamin D is primarily obtained by cutaneous production from sun exposure. However, many variables influence the amount of UVB from sunlight that reaches the skin and its effectiveness. These include time of day, season, latitude, altitude, clothing, sunscreen use, pigmentation, and age. In Minnesota in 2008, less than half of days provided enough solar UVB radiation at noon to effect cutaneous vitamin D production.2 Even those who normally reside in sunny climates are commonly found to be deficient in vitamin D, probably due to cultural habits and/or dress.3 Even if regularly exposed to sunlight, elderly people produce 75% less cutaneous D3 than young adults.4 Further barriers to cutaneous vitamin D production are ongoing public health campaigns promoting sunscreen use, as advocated by the American Academy of Dermatology . Unfortunately, commonly recommended daily intakes of vitamin D are known to be insufficient if sunlight exposure is limited.5
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