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.
What does a vitamin D blood test show?
A vitamin D test is used to: Determine if bone weakness, bone malformation, or abnormal metabolism of calcium (reflected by abnormal calcium, phosphorus, PTH) is occurring as a result of a deficiency or excess of vitamin D.
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.
Can I test my vitamin D levels at home? – Related Questions
What are the 14 signs of vitamin D deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
- Fatigue.
- Not sleeping well.
- Bone pain or achiness.
- Depression or feelings of sadness.
- Hair loss.
- Muscle weakness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Getting sick more easily.
What happens if your vitamin D is extremely low?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones). Severe vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other diseases. In children, it can cause rickets. Rickets is a rare disease that causes the bones to become soft and bend.
How often should a vitamin D level be checked?
Once a new dose of vitamin D supplementation has been determined and incorporated into the daily routine, in order to get an accurate representation of the resulting 25(OH) vitamin D serum level, it is recommended that you wait at least 2-3 months before testing again.
What are the five signs you may have vitamin D deficiency?
Here are five signs to watch out for:
- Fatigue. Feeling fatigued and sluggish is probably the most common sign of vitamin D deficiency, Dr.
- Broken Bones and Stress Fractures. “Bone fractures that don’t heal quickly are another sign [of vitamin D deficiency],” Gittleman says.
- Low Immunity.
- Muscle Pain and Achiness.
- Hair Loss.
Can a vitamin D test be wrong?
When it comes to ordering the correct test for Vitamin D, too many doctors just can’t get it right, a new study found. A Seattle team found 66% of tests ordered for one type of test were made in error, delaying care and potentially putting patients at risk.
Will I notice a difference taking vitamin D?
Research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression. A review of 7,534 people found that those experiencing negative emotions who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in symptoms.
When should I take vitamin D morning or night?
We recommend taking it with a source of quality fat in the morning or when you break your fast. Avoid taking vitamin D in the evening (we’ll talk about why below). Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin—meaning it doesn’t dissolve in water—your body can most easily absorb it when you take it with food.
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 can I raise my vitamin D level quickly?
- Spend time in sunlight. Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient.
- Consume fatty fish and seafood.
- Eat more mushrooms.
- Include egg yolks in your diet.
- Eat fortified foods.
- Take a supplement.
- Try a UV lamp.
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.
Does low 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.
Can low vitamin D make you feel weird?
Vitamin D deficiencies can also result in bone diseases such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. But you may not be aware that if you’re not getting enough vitamin D, you may also suffer from dizziness, headaches, and yes, low energy and fatigue.
What are the 8 signs that your body needs vitamin D?
Here are 8 signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
- Getting Sick or Infected Often.
- Fatigue and Tiredness.
- Bone and Back Pain.
- Depression.
- Impaired Wound Healing.
- Bone Loss.
- Hair Loss.
- Muscle Pain.
Does anxiety cause low vitamin D?
Another study found that those suffering from anxiety had lower levels of calcidiol. Broken down vitamin D produces the byproduct, calcidiol. The study notes that low levels of vitamin D are thought to increase the chances of depression, diabetes, and cancer.
Do you feel tired when your vitamin D is low?
The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often subtle, so many people don’t know they’re deficient. Some of the effects of vitamin D deficiency include: Fatigue or tiredness.
What low vitamin D feels like?
Vitamin D deficiency may manifest in a variety of ways, including fatigue, back pain, hair loss, poor wound healing, and symptoms of depression.
