Test : Vitamin-D test
Indications : Vitamin D test will help to evaluate if a person has adequate amount of vitamin D or if the person has to take supplements or needs sun exposure. The tests can be done routinely in laboratories or it may also be done at home using kits.
Physiology : Vitamin D testing is done to make sure that there is adequate amount of vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D test is also known as 25(OH)D blood test.
Vitamin D regulates minerals such as calcium and phosphorus found in the body and, plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure.
Vitamin D helps ease a number of conditions such as
high BP,
cholesterol, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also boost the immune system.
Most of us obtain enough vitamin D through the diet and through exposure to the sun. Vitamin D levels can be easily restored through sun exposure.
Vitamin D deficiency is not only common in cold and temperate areas of the world but also in the tropics. This is probably due to the fact that people increasingly chose to stay indoors or, apply sunscreen more often. The condition is also common in older people.
Normal Range : 16-65pgs/mL.
Interpretation : The ideal vitamin D level is different according to different organizations. The Vitamin D Council of the United States recommends the normal vitamin D level to be 50 ng/ml.
Vitamin D Guidelines According to Different Organizations
| |
Vitamin D Council |
Endocrine Society |
Food and Nutrition Board |
Testing Laboratories |
| Deficient |
0-39 ng/ml |
0-20 ng/ml |
0-11 ng/ml |
0-31 ng/ml |
| Insufficient |
|
21-29 ng/ml |
12-20 ng/ml |
|
| Sufficient |
40-80 ng/ml |
30-100 ng/ml |
>20 ng/ml |
32-100 ng/ml |
| Toxic |
>150 ng/ml |
|
|
|
Based on the above table it is not surprising that the recommendations of different organizations vary as given below -
• Vitamin D Council recommends that adults take 5,000 IU/day of vitamin D supplement to reach the optimum level of 40 ng /ml
• Endocrine Society recommends an intake of 2,000 IU/day to reach their recommended level of 30 ng/ml
• Food and Nutrition Board recommends 600 IU/day of vitamin D supplement each day to reach 20 ng/ml.
More Information:If your levels are below normal you must consider spending more time in the sun and taking
vitamin supplements. If your levels are normal just stick to your normal routine and supplements intake, but keep in mind the fact that your levels may be normal in summer and, possibly, lower in winter which makes it necessary for you to increase your vitamin D intake.
If your levels are higher than normal then you must reduce your supplement dosage, as increased concentration of vitamin D is considered toxic.
References :
1. www.vitamindcouncil.org
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