Vitamin D Blood Test: What You Should Know

A vitamin D blood test can measure the specific level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in your blood. These can be used to give insight to your vitamin D levels and will be able to tell if your levels are stable or showing abnormal signs. Here is what you should know about the test:

Why You May Need a Vitamin D Blood Test:

Your healthcare provider may ask you to have your vitamin D levels checked, either by a doctor or at home. The two main reasons why you may require this test are:

 

  • Osteoporosis – this health disease weakens the bones, which leads to them being brittle and more prone to breaking. This can be linked to your vitamin D levels.
  • You may also need a test if you have other health diseases that make your body’s ability to use vitamin D more difficult. This can include health issues such as digestive problems, kidney disease, pancreatitis etc.

 

It can be extremely beneficial to check your levels as a health precaution. This way you are able to tell if they may be a cause for concern.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Low Vitamin D?

A vitamin deficiency can give our body warning symptoms. However, the problem with this, is that the symptoms of a deficiency can easily be mistake for any other illness or health issue. This is why it can be extremely beneficial to take a test, to make sure that your symptoms are not related. Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are:

 

  • Tiredness/fatigue
  • Sore bones or muscles
  • Weakening muscles
  • Mood swings/changes or in serious cases, depression.

Randox Health offers an at-home vitamin d blood test that is convenient and can provide results from the lab in 5 working days. Their vitamin D blood test page also provides an instructional video on how to carry out the test, to ensure the sample is collected safely and correctly.

 

How Do You Get Vitamin D Naturally?

 

  • Sun – being in the sun is one of the most effective sources of vitamin D. When your body acquires this nutrient directly from the sun, it will stay in your system for twice as long

 

  • Food – You can get vitamin D from seafood such as tuna, oysters, shrimp and sardines. Mushrooms, egg yolks, cow’s milk, orange juice and tofu are also all sources of vitamin D that you can add to your diet.

 

  • Supplements – You can take a supplement of vitamin D if you feel you lack it from food or the sun. It is important to only take supplements of this nutrient if they have been tested and are safe to consume.

Final Words

Vitamin D blood tests are extremely beneficial in finding out whether or not we lack the nutrient. Lacking in Vitamin D can lead to flu-like symptoms, change in mood and bone issues. Now the testing process has never been easier by being able to test yourself at home and then send the results over to a lab.