Vitamin D Testing

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus (which are necessary for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth). A vitamin D test can tell you whether you are getting enough vitamin D to stay healthy. If your vitamin D levels are too low, you can work with your doctor to increase your vitamin D intake and reduce your risk for bone disorders and other medical conditions related to vitamin D deficiency.

Why is a vitamin D test important?

Vitamin D is essential to maintaining healthy bones and teeth. This vitamin also helps your muscles, nerves, and immune system properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. A vitamin D test is important because it can tell you whether your body needs a higher amount of this vitamin to stay healthy and reduce your risk for conditions like osteoporosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency

Most people get enough vitamin D from sun exposure and nutrition. The few people who have a vitamin D deficiency may experience some of the following symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic:

It's important to note that not everyone with vitamin D deficiency will experience symptoms, and some symptoms may be subtle or easily overlooked. Additionally, these symptoms can also be caused by other things. If you are experiencing these symptoms, a vitamin D test can help determine if it is from vitamin D deficiency or something else, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Who should I get a vitamin D test?

A vitamin D test can help reveal whether low vitamin D levels are caused by or contributing to a health condition, according to the National Library of Medicine. You may also need this test if you are taking steps to increase your vitamin D levels and your doctor wants to check your progress.

According to the NLM, health conditions that may require you to get a vitamin D test include:

• Low bone density
• Osteoporosis
• Osteomalacia, which is softening of the bones
• Rickets, which is softening and weakening of the bones in children
• Bone pain
• Weakness or aching in the muscles
• Soft bones
• Weak bones
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Deformed bones

According to the NLM, you should also consider getting a vitamin D test if you are at high risk for developing a vitamin D deficiency. This includes people who:

• Are aged 65 years and older—as you age, your skin starts losing its ability to make vitamin D from sunlight.
• Get little exposure to sunlight due to spending lots of time indoors, using sunscreen, or living in places where there is little sunlight.
• Have dark skin—the bodies of people with darker skin tones make less vitamin D from sunlight.
• Have had weight-loss surgery. Some forms of weight-loss surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, cause the intestine to absorb fewer calories and nutrients, and this can often lead to nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin D.
• Are obese.
• Have a condition that makes it difficult to absorb nutrients from foods. Examples of such conditions, according to the NLM, include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
• Have a disease that affects the ability to convert vitamin D into a form that the body can use. Examples of such conditions include kidney disease and liver disease.
• Take certain medications that reduce your vitamin D level.
• Do not get enough vitamin D from the foods they eat.

You should talk to your healthcare provider if you are not sure whether you can benefit from a vitamin D test. Your doctor can review your medical history and evaluate whether you need a vitamin D test.

What to expect during a vitamin D test

A vitamin D test is a blood test, according to the NLM. During this test, a healthcare worker will use a tiny needle to draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm or hand. Then, your sample is sent to the lab, where it is evaluated to determine the amount of vitamin D in your blood. According to the NLM, your liver converts vitamin D into a substance called “25 hydroxyvitamin D”, also known as 25(OH)D. This may be the way it appears on your lab test results.

During this test, you may feel a slight sting in your arm when the needle goes in. The NLM adds that a vitamin D test can usually be performed in under five minutes.

What do my vitamin D test results mean?

Results from vitamin D tests are reported in numerous different ways. Your results may be broken down by levels of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3, or results may show your total amount of vitamin D, which is the sum of vitamins D2 and D3.

If you are deficient in total vitamin D, it means you may not be getting enough vitamin D in your diet or that you are not getting enough sunlight exposure. According to the NLM, low vitamin D levels could also mean your body has difficulty absorbing vitamin D from foods and supplements or that your body has difficulty converting vitamin D into 25(OH)D. The NLM notes that these issues may indicate you may have a malabsorptive disorder or liver or kidney disease.

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency usually involves making changes to your diet, so you consume a higher amount of this vitamin. It may also involve taking quality vitamin D supplements, which may be safer than spending more time in the sun given how this behavior may cause skin cancer, reports the NLM.

If your total vitamin D level is abnormally high, you may be taking too many vitamin D supplements or taking doses that are too high. According to the NLM, having high vitamin D levels can eventually damage your organs and blood vessels.

Your doctor can help you understand your test results, and what might happen next based on whether your vitamin D levels are too high or too low.

How to get a vitamin D test

Vitamin D testing is offered in a variety of healthcare settings. Many walk-in clinics, labs, and urgent care centers may also offer this test without requiring a referral.

An easy way to find out how and where to get a vitamin D test is to use Solv. Solv gives you a list of all nearby providers that offer this test, along with contact information so you can ask the provider what is required of you if you want this test. Solv also gives you the ability to book an appointment directly from its website.

Can I get a vitamin D test at home?

Yes, there are a number of at-home vitamin D testing kits available. These kits typically involve collecting a small blood sample with a finger prick and then sending the sample to a lab for analysis.

It's important to note that at-home vitamin D testing kits may not be as accurate as testing done by a healthcare provider, and results may vary depending on factors such as the time of day the test is taken and the quality of the blood sample. If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about getting a medical-grade test.

Cost of vitamin D testing

The cost of vitamin D testing varies on a number of factors, including location and insurance coverage. The average cost of a vitamin D test in the US is between $39 and $59.

What happens if I have low vitamin D?

Low vitamin D levels can lead to a number of health complications. Some potential consequences of vitamin D deficiency, according to the Mayo Clinic are:

• Increased risk of bone fractures: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of strong bones. Without adequate levels of vitamin D, bones may become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures.
• Increased risk of osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. Vitamin D deficiency is a known risk factor for osteoporosis.
• Increased risk of falls: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of falls in older adults. This may be due to the role of vitamin D in muscle function and balance.
• Increased risk of certain cancers: Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
• Increased risk of autoimmune diseases: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune system function, and low vitamin D levels have been linked to an increased risk of infectious diseases such as respiratory infections and tuberculosis.