Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide. A person can check their vitamin D levels themselves with an at-home vitamin D test, and many of these tests are of the same quality as those that medical professionals use.
What is the most accurate vitamin D test?
The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. Vitamin D helps control calcium and phosphate levels in the body. Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Is a vitamin D test worth it?
Even if you are at risk for other diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, a vitamin D test isn’t usually helpful. The test results are unlikely to change the advice from your doctor. It is much more important for you to make lifestyle changes first—to stop smoking, aim for a healthy weight and be physically active.
How can I check my vitamin D levels?
A vitamin D test is a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.
Can I test my vitamin D levels at home? – Related Questions
What are the five signs you may have vitamin D deficiency?
Signs and symptoms of the deficiency
- Frequent infections or illnesses.
- Fatigue and muscle weakness. Because vitamin D is key to bone health, an insufficient amount can cause bone and muscle weakness, which can lead to fatigue.
- Bone and joint pain.
- Fractures.
- Depression.
- Slow wound healing.
How do you know if your body is low in vitamin D?
“The most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test. Many experts place the ideal level between 40 and 80 ng/mL with levels below 20 ng/mL as deficient,” Dr. Ropte says.
Can I check my vitamin levels at home?
At-home vitamin deficiency tests can be used to help you pinpoint potential gaps in your diet. These tests allow you to easily take a blood sample at home, mail it to the lab, and receive your results digitally in as little as two days. They test for a variety of vitamins and minerals.
What is a normal vitamin D number?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that a vitamin D level between 20-50 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL) is typically within the adequate range for healthy individuals.
What is a dangerously low vitamin D level?
Today, 25(OH)D less than 12 ng/mL is considered evidence of severe vitamin D deficiency.
Does vitamin D affect sleep?
Research links vitamin D levels to sleep quality. In fact, several studies associate low levels of vitamin D in your blood to a higher risk of sleep disturbances, poorer sleep quality, and reduced sleep duration ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).
What causes vitamin D to drop?
In general, the two main causes of vitamin D deficiency are: Not getting enough vitamin D in your diet and/or through sunlight. Your body isn’t properly absorbing or using vitamin D.
Which fruit is rich in vitamin D?
Top 8 Vitamin D Fruits, Vegetables And Foods You Need To Know About
- Orange juice.
- Eggs.
- Salmon.
- Milk.
- Tofu.
- Mushrooms.
- Cod liver oil.
- Raw Oysters.
What cancers are linked to vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with a variety of cancers, including prostate, multiple myeloma, colorectal and breast cancer. Several studies have shown vitamin D levels to have an inverse relation with cancer mortality, while others have considered it a potential risk factor.
Can lack of vitamin D cause weight gain?
A vitamin D deficiency is unlikely to cause weight gain. However, it may cause other health problems or unpleasant symptoms, which are worth avoiding. You can maintain adequate vitamin D levels through a combination of limited sun exposure, a vitamin-D-rich diet, and taking vitamin D supplements.
Does vitamin D reduce belly fat?
Besides boosting mood and promoting calcium absorption, recent studies have shown that vitamin D may also aid in weight loss. For people with extra belly fat, a vitamin D supplement may be beneficial.
Does low vitamin D affect hair?
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Hair Loss? Vitamin D is metabolized in the skin by keratinocytes. These are skin cells that process keratin, a protein in hair, nails, and skin. When the body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, keratinocytes in hair follicles have trouble regulating hair growth and shedding.
Does low vitamin D cause anxiety?
Decreased vitamin D levels have been associated with anxiety, depression and schizophrenia,23–27 with low levels of vitamin D in neonates associated with a two-fold increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.
Why does vitamin D make me sleepy?
Excessive amounts of vitamin D in the body can cause calcium levels in the blood to rise. This can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia (too much calcium in your blood). Symptoms include: fatigue.
How soon will I feel better after taking vitamin D3?
So, when it comes to vitamin d deficiency treatments, how long till you start to feel better? Those with the lowest levels should feel an improvement after just a few days, while those who only need to top up their levels may have to wait a week or two before they begin to feel healthier and more energised.
How long does it take to recover from vitamin D deficiency?
“Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months time. Vitamin D with a strength of 1000-2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults,” Dr. Ropte says.
