Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
Vitamin D is critical for maintaining healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus by aiding in their absorption from the gut. This helps the body form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also modulates neuromuscular, immune, and other cellular functions. Vitamin D deficiency, as defined by the Endocrine Society, is common. As much as 68% to 77% of the population is estimated to have suboptimal (<30 ng/mL) levels of vitamin D.
Alternate names: 25 OH Vitamin D,Vitamin D, 25-OH,25-Hydroxy Vitamin D,Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
- Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total
Methodology: Immunoassay (IA)
Fasting: Fasting is preferred, but not required.
Water: Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
Medications: Take all medications as prescribed.
Dietary supplements: If you take a dietary supplement containing Vitamin D, discontinue the dietary supplement 48 hours (two days) prior to the blood test. This will give a more realistic picture of a person’s Vitamin D status.
3-4 business days
Result turnaround times are estimates and not guaranteed. Due to factors outside of our control, such as weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing or equipment maintenance, our lab may require additional time to complete tests.
Measurement of serum 25-OH vitamin D concentrations provide a good index of circulating vitamin D activity in patients not suffering from renal (kidney) disease. Lower than normal 25-OH vitamin D levels can result from a dietary deficiency, poor absorption of the vitamin or impaired metabolism of the sterol in the liver.
Conditions associated with Vitamin D deficiency include:
- Back pain
- Breast Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Depression
- Heart attacks
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance
- Menopausal symptoms: vaginal atrophy
- Menstrual Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Osteomalacia and Rickets
- Osteoporosis
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Prostate Cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Type I Diabetes (Insulin Dependent)
- Type II Diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent)
The Endocrine Society recommends regular screening for individuals at risk for deficiency. These include people who have:
- Osteoporosis
- Osteomalacia and rickets
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diseases that require certain medications (anti-seizure medications, glucocorticoids, AIDS medications, antifungals, cholestyramine)
- Malabsorption syndromes, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, history of bariatric surgery
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hepatic failure
Screening is also recommended for:
- African American and Hispanic children and adults
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Older adults with a history of falls
- Older adults with history of nontraumatic fractures
- Obese children
- Obese adults
Above normal levels of vitamin D can lead to elevated calcium in the blood, called hypercalcemia.
The Silent Disease of Vitamin D Deficiency, by Dr. John Neustadt
Vitamin D (Mayo Clinic)
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