Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin, but rather a hormone that is produced in the body as a result of exposure to sunlight, and it can also be obtained from certain foods.
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| Vitamin D test |
The importance of vitamin D
This hormone works to absorb calcium from food in the digestive system into the body, so its deficiency may lead to a decrease in calcium absorption from food, as a result of which calcium is liberated from the bones in order to maintain a constant proportion of calcium in the blood.
This results in bone injuries, such as rickets in children or osteoporosis in adults, as well as muscle damage and high blood pressure.
There is also research confirming the existence of a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and diabetes and autoimmune diseases in which the immune system attacks the body, such as lupus (SLE) and certain types of cancerous tumors.
Vitamin D deficiency is a very common condition in middle adults and children alike, apparently stemming from the lack of exposure to the sun and the heavy use of sunscreens in recent years following an increase in awareness of the health risks associated with increased sun exposure such as an increased risk of skin cancer.
As for the case of excess vitamin D, it is a very rare condition, as it requires the consumption of large quantities of vitamin D from it to reach the limit of the excess, which may cause the following symptoms:
Hypertension.
Weakness.
High level of calcium in the blood.
The formation of kidney stones.
Decreased ability to focus.
It should be noted that the Vitamin D test actually checks the level of one of its products which is 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (D25 - OH - Vitamin D).
When should the examination be performed?
The cases in which the examination is required include the following:
In adults with osteoporosis, a disease that manifests as low bone density, high blood pressure, or kidney injury.
When you suspect hyperparathyroidism, tuberculosis or sarcoidosis.
In children, when suspected of rickets, a disease that appears in the form of retardation of growth and deformation of the bones.
To detect vitamin D deficiency in adults, children and pregnant women.
The at-risk category
There is no risk in this test except for the risks associated with a normal blood test.
Related diseases
Diseases related to this examination include:
Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D excess.
rickets
Osteoporosis.
Hyperparathyroidism.
High level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).
Kidney stones.
tuberculosis;
Sarcoidosis.
How to perform the examination
We are talking about a normal blood test, that is, a sample is taken from a vein, and there are no special preparations before the examination.
Analysis of the results
Possible results of this examination include:
1. Low levels
These are results that are less than 15 ng/L (37 nmol/L). Vitamin D deficiency may result from the following:
Inadequate consumption of vitamin D, vitamin D is found in certain types of fish, shiitake mushrooms, egg whites, and products to which vitamin D is added artificially, in most dairy-free milk products there is no vitamin D, when needed, vitamin D can be supplemented from Commercial, the recommended consumption is 400 units per day, and in case of shortage or pregnancy, 800 and up to 1000 units can be consumed.
Insufficient exposure to sunlight, common among children, people who work indoors, and people who wear long clothes all year round for religious reasons.
There is no medical recommendation for overexposure to the sun or not using a sunscreen for fear of skin cancer. If you suffer from vitamin D deficiency, you can moderate exposure to the sun for several minutes a day in safe hours.
Problems absorbing vitamin D caused by digestive problems.
Decreased ability of the kidneys to convert vitamin D into the active substance.
2. Articulation level
Which is between 15 ng/L (37 nmol/L) - 25 ng/L (62 nmol/L), this level is considered an articular condition.
3. Good levels
They are levels that are above 25 ng/L (67 nmol/L) in most people, but there is a prevailing opinion that some people are in certain risk groups, such as:
pregnant women.
Elderly.
People with kidney problems.
Those with a family history of Crohn's disease.
Those with a family history of diabetes.
Those with a family history of rheumatoid disease.
It is preferable to keep the temperature above 30 or 50 ng/L (74 or 123 nmol/L).
4. High levels
Vitamin D levels above 150 ng/L (370 nmol/L) are considered high, but this limit is disputed, and there are those who believe that the value should be greater.
The level of vitamin D in the blood can be high due to diseases that produce granulomas, such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and hyperparathyroidism.