What Happens If You Dont Get Enough Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for a number of reasons. Some of its important functions include:
- Maintaining adequate bone density and bone mass
- Regulating muscle contractions
- Controlling inflammation and maintaining healthy immune system function
- Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
- Preventing excessive cell growth, which may help to prevent cancer
People can get vitamin D through their diet, including in fortified foods . People can also make it in their skin, although unprotected sun exposure is needed to allow this process. Those with darker skin tones make less vitamin D in their skin than those with lighter skin tones, because the pigment in the skin blocks the UV light thats needed for vitamin D to be produced. In addition, some people get their vitamin D through supplements.
What Does The Test Measure
At-home vitamin D tests measure your blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is also called 25D. 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the most plentiful form of vitamin D that circulates in your blood. This measurement is considered the most accurate way to see how much vitamin D is in your body.
Less common types of vitamin D tests are only available through a health care professional. Talk to your doctor for more information about the most appropriate type of vitamin D test for you.
Who Should Take This Test
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that supports bone density, insulin production and immune function. This test is ideal for those who:
- Have osteoporosis or other bone-health problemsâ¹
- Work indoors and rarely spend time outside during the day¹
- Have conditions that affect fat absorption, including celiac disease or weight-loss surgery¹²
- Routinely take medications that interfere with vitamin D activity, including anticonvulsants and glucocorticoidsâ¶
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How Do Vitamin D Tests Work
Vitamin D tests need a blood sample to measure 25-OH D levels. In a doctors office or a lab, a trained technician called a phlebotomist draws blood from a vein in your arm. At-home tests typically have you prick and squeeze a finger to collect a smaller blood sample.
Its easier to measure 25-OH D because it lasts longer in the bloodstream, around 14 days. Its also easier to detect changes in 25-OH D levels associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Test Home Blood Testing Kit
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. Some people dont have enough vitamin D called vitamin D deficiency.
Why do I need this test?
Between October and March, the sunlight in Britain is not strong enough to make enough vitamin D, and up to a quarter of the population has low levels of it in their blood.
Vitamin D deficiency can put people at risk of Rickets or Osteomalacia and some research suggests that not getting enough of it may also be linked to Heart conditions, Diabetes, Asthma and Cognitive impairment in older adults.
Vitamin D deficiency at-risk groups
The Chief Medical Officers of the UK say these groups are at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially teenagers and young women.
- Infants and children under 5 years of age.
- People 65 and over.
- People who have little or no exposure to the sun. This includes covering-up for cultural reasons, people who are housebound or who stay indoors for long periods of time.
- People with darker skin, such as African, African-Caribbean and South Asian origin. These groups are not able to make as much vitamin D as those with paler skin.
View the full test instructions here.
To view the full instructions in German
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When Should I Get An At
There are no guidelines for situations in which its appropriate to take an at-home vitamin D test. At-home vitamin D testing may be helpful for individuals who are curious about their vitamin D levels, especially if they have risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, and for people who prefer testing from their home.
Some experts recommend against testing for vitamin D levels in patients without symptoms unless they are at an increased risk of a vitamin D deficiency. These experts warn that testing too broadly may result in unnecessary treatment.
If you have symptoms that may be due to a vitamin D deficiency, its a good idea to talk to your health care provider about getting tested. You and your health care provider can discuss the benefits of at-home versus physician-ordered testing.
How To Choose An At Home Vitamin D Test Kit:
As we touched on above, the most important things you need to consider when choosing an at-home testing kit for vitamin B12 include:
- Check if they measure vitamin D , as testing for this majorly circulated form of vitamin D is currently considered the best indicator of vitamin D supply to the body https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/VitaminD.pdf
- Do they use accredited UKAS laboratories to test your samples? You dont want just any old lab testing your results, make sure they are the real deal
- Do they have doctors on hand to help interpret your results? Some aftercare is sometimes necessary, especially if you have confusing results, so check if they have a doctor on board to help if needed.
- Do they have good reviews? Check their brand website and the reviews they have received to see what other people think of their service.
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What Is A Vitamin D Test
The body gains vitamin D through sun exposure on the skin, vitamin D supplements, and certain foods such as eggs, oily fish and fortified cereals.
Vitamin D needs to go through a transformation process in the liver in order to convert into a form that the body can use. This new form is a chemical called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called calcidiol. Therefore assessing 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D is the most accurate way to see how much vitamin D your body has, as it is the amount that the body has available to use.
An at-home vitamin D test is a simple finger prick blood test that will test whether your vitamin D levels are too low or too high. If your vitamin D levels are high, it can cause bone and kidney problems. Toxicity is rare and usually caused by taking too many supplements containing vitamin D.
Why Measure Vitamin D
Every cell of our body depends on signals from vitamin D. Vitamin D should be called a hormone, not a vitamin. Low levels of vitamin D cause short and long-term health problems. It plays a major role in the daily function of our bodies on a cellular level. From brain to bowels to immunity, Vitamin D is crucial to our health.
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What is an At Home Vitamin D test?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to weaker overall immunity and heightened risk for depression. There are two forms of Vitamin D that are important for nutrition. These are Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 mainly comes from fortified foods like breakfast cereals, milk, and other dairy items. Vitamin D3 is made by your own body when you are exposed to sunlight. It is also found in some foods, including eggs and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
In your bloodstream, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are changed into a form of Vitamin D called 25 hydroxyvitamin D, also known as 25D. A Vitamin D blood test measures the level of 25D in your blood. Abnormal levels of Vitamin D can indicate bone disorders, nutrition problems, organ damage, or other medical conditions.
Included: 1 Vitamin D Testing kit, and a pre-addressed return envelope
Why do I need an At Home Vitamin D Test?
The myLAB Box at home vitamin D test screening kit is an excellent screening test to monitor your levels of Vitamin D to maintain strong bones and teeth, regulate your immune system, heart, lung, muscle and joint health, and prevent depression.
What Do I Need to do to Prepare for the At Home Vitamin D Test?
You dont need any special preparations for an at home Vitamin D test.
How To Buy A Vitamin D Blood Test
Vitamin D tests are also included as part of our Total home test kits which also offers 32 other key health readings from immunity, bone and muscle health through to liver and kidney health risks. We provide great value with all our home test kits, with additional extras such as your own MyWellness results portal and 24/7 GP helpline access for a year being included with all our home test kits.
Did you know you could also get a vitamin D test as part of our more comprehensive Essential Energy & Fatigue Plus plan? It consists of an in-depth, face-to-face health check with a Health Assessment Specialists, which you can easily book online at one of over 2,000 mobile clinics available nationwide. You will receive a wide array of other key health markers and a detailed results report sent through the post.
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How To Keep Your Vitamin D Levels Healthy
If you do discover you have a vitamin D deficiency or low amounts in your body, you should always seek the advice of your GP, who can help you get to the root of the cause and advise treatment.
Vitamin D supplements are widely available if you worry that your diet or other lifestyle factors may eventually lead to depleted vitamin D levels.
Most multivitamins contain vitamin D too, and it doesnt hurt to pre-empt any potential vitamin D issues by supplementing, especially if you dont eat many Vitamin D-rich foods.
The UK government recommends that breastfeeding babies all the way up to 5 year old children should be given a vitamin D supplement: 8.5-10mcg for under 1 year old and 10mcg for the rest.5
Children aged 5 years + and adults should also consider taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months.
You can also easily increase the vitamin D in your body by eating some or all of the following:
- Oily fish, like salmon and sardines
- Fish and algae oil
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A Quick Look At The Best At
A vitamin D test determines the vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. This type of test may suit individuals with chronic conditions, such as asthma, psoriasis, or an autoimmune disease.
People can receive vitamin D from sun exposure , supplements, and some types of food.
When a person is out in sunlight, UVB rays convert to vitamin D. This conversion only happens when a person is outside, as UVB rays cannot travel through glass. Additionally, the weather, time of day, and skin melanin content affect how much vitamin D a person gains through the sun.
Vitamin D from supplements is often in the form of lanolin from sheep or the animal-free alternative lichen. While this vitamin is not plentiful in food, mushrooms are one of the best sources of vitamin D through diet.
Doctors may suggest taking a vitamin D test to monitor bone conditions, especially if a person has symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. These may include:
- bone malformation
Further, people who have a high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency may also consider buying a vitamin D test. This may include people who have:
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How We Picked:
At-home tests need to produce the same results if you were to have them done in a traditional lab. We only included brands that use CLIA-certified labs.
Vitamin deficiency labs are rarely covered by insurance, so we paid close attention to price and prioritized affordable options when possible.
While both sample types are relatively painless, some people do have a strong preference between hair or blood. We included options for both.
Some tests evaluate just one vitamin level, while others take a more comprehensive look at your deficiencies. We noted which vitamins each of our selections tests for.
What Is A 25
According to Mount Sinai, a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. The test can determine whether your vitamin D levels are too high or too low.
The test is also known as the 25-OH vitamin D test and the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalcifoerol test. It can be an important indicator of osteoporosis and rickets .
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What Is An At
An at-home vitamin D test checks the level of the circulating form of vitamin D in your blood. This is your serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25D8 level.
We receive vitamin D from foods, beverages, sun exposure, and certain supplements. That vitamin D is converted in our liver to 25D, the biomarker for vitamin D status in your body. You might also see this test referred to as the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalciferol test.
The other type of vitamin D in our bloodstream and acting inside our cells is 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is the biologically active, hormone-like form. This doubly hydroxylated form of the nutrient is created when 25D is further converted by our kidneys and targeted tissues for use in the body. This form, also known as calcitriol, isn’t typically measured by tests because it is tightly regulated and does not stay in the body as long as 25D.
What Are The Best Treatments Or Supplements For Low Vitamin D
We supply both treatments and supplements for low vitamin D:
- Colecalciferol 1,000 IU is a low dose supplement suitable for people with insufficient levels of vitamin D or those with deficient levels who have already had a high dose booster treatment
- Colecalciferol 10,000 IU is high dose booster treatment suitable for people who have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency to help quickly improve Vitamin D levels
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Whats The Normal Range For Vitamin D Levels
Medical and scientific experts have determined the approximate range for adequate or normal vitamin D levels:
- A vitamin D level less than about 30 nanograms/milliliter is considered inadequate by the Endocrine Society.
- On the other end of the range, a vitamin D level above 100 ng/mL is often viewed as too high. Thatâs because vitamin D levels higher than 100 ng/mL increase the risk of hypercalcemia .
- Itâs important to keep in mind, however, that optimal vitamin D levels vary from person to person âso itâs a good idea to share vitamin D test results with your healthcare provider.
Benefits And Downsides Of At
There are pros and cons to doing vitamin D testing at home versus in a medical setting.
Benefits of at-home vitamin D testing include:
- Convenience: Using an at-home test, you can take the test at a time that suits you and without having to leave your home.
- No prescription necessary: Doctors may not feel it is medically necessary to order vitamin D testing unless you have symptoms of deficiency. Taking an at-home test may satisfy your curiosity about your vitamin D levels when there isnt a clear medical reason to test.
- Easy to use: At-home test kits include simple instructions and pre-printed return packaging that makes the process of home testing easy.
- Transparent pricing: The cost of an at-home vitamin D test is clear, reducing the chances of unexpected lab or blood draw fees.
Drawbacks to at-home vitamin D testing include:
- Results that lack context: It can be hard to understand the significance of your test results without a health professional to guide you. For instance, some at-home tests may not distinguish between results indicating a less than ideal level of vitamin D versus a vitamin D deficiency.
- Not covered by insurance: Typically, people must pay out-of-pocket for at-home vitamin D tests.
- Need for follow-up testing: Abnormal vitamin D test results will likely need to be verified by testing in a medical setting.
- Not available everywhere: State regulations may restrict the use of at-home vitamin D tests in certain areas.
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What Happens During A Vitamin D Test
A vitamin D test is a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
What Should I Do If I Have A Deficiency Or Excess Of A Vitamin Or Mineral
Some at-home testing companies provide supplements on a subscription basis. However, due to a companys interest in making profits, there are concerns about bias.
A person should consult a healthcare professional to understand the reason for any vitamin or mineral excess or deficiency before deciding on a treatment.
Genetics, prescription medications, and other factors levels of vitamins and minerals in the body, and a healthcare professional will take these into account.
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Vitamin D Food Sources
Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D, making it difficult to get the needed amount of vitamin D from your diet. The most known sources are flesh of fish and fish liver oils. According to Dr. Holick you would have to eat oily fish like salmon and mackeral 3-5 times a week to get your vitamin D requirement. Milk and orange juice are fortified with vitamin D, but you would have to drink 10 glasses per day of either to get your needed vitamin D.
