Mohammad Intezar Habibi 

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Vitamin D

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.

Vitamin D

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