Test for Vitamin D Diseases

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Overview
Symptoms
Causes of Vitamin D deficiency
Overcoming Vitamin D deficiency
Diagnosis
Sources of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for our overall health. Vitamin D is synthesised in the body when exposed to sunlight, and hence, is also called the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D is very important for our well being as:

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Vitamin D helps to protect against various conditions including –

Osteoporosis

Hypertension

Infections

Fractures in Elderly

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Cancer

Lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D Tests / Packages

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Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Signs and symptoms might include

Vitamin D deficiency leads to poor calcium integration in bones, causing pain.

Muscle weakness, muscle aches, or muscle cramps

Hair loss

Weight gain

Fatigue, pain in the muscles and bones results in overall fatigue and tiredness

Depression

Impaired wound healing

Anxiety or irritability

Regular illness or infection

What causes Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency is a condition wherein there is a reduced amount of Vitamin D in the body. The most common cause of vitamin D deficiency is the lack of sunlight exposure, which may be coupled with poor dietary sources. It can also be caused by -

Medical conditions
Medical conditions such as Cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease or Celiac disease. These diseases do not allow the intestines to absorb enough vitamin D through supplements.
Weight loss
Weight loss surgeries make it very difficult to consume sufficient quantities of certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Obesity
Obesity, Fat cells keep vitamin D isolated, so that it is not released.
Kidney and Liver diseases
Kidney and Liver diseases reduce the amount of an enzyme needed to change vitamin D to a form that is used in the body.
Age
Age, The skin's ability to make vitamin D lessens with age.
Skin colour
Skin colour, Darker skin reduces the body's ability to absorb the ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) rays from the sun. Absorbing sunlight is essential for the skin to produce vitamin D.
Medications
Medications such as laxatives, steroids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, seizure control drugs.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding,Infants who exclusively breastfeed need a vitamin D supplement.

Overcoming Vitamin D Deficiency

The following can help increase the Vitamin D content in the body:

Outdoor activity for 10-15 minutes in the Sun every day

Eating more Vitamin D rich foods e.g. mushroom, fish, egg yolk, fortified cereals

Taking Vitamin D supplements. However, this must be done only after consulting with the doctor

Toxic effects of excess Vitamin D

Nausea & Vomiting

Frequent Urination

Bone Pain

Weakness

Kidney Problems

Vitamin D toxicity, also called hypervitaminosis D, is a rare but potentially serious condition, usually caused by megadoses of vitamin D supplements.
The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness and frequent urination. Symptoms might progress to bone pain and kidney problems, such as the formation of calcium stones.

Daily Requirement of Vitamin D

The amount of Vitamin D needed on a daily basis depends on your age. Average daily recommended amounts from the Food and Nutrition Board for different ages are listed below in International Units (IU):
- Birth to Life Stage Recommended Amount
- Birth to 12 Months 400 IU
- Children 1-13 years 600 IU
- Teens 14-18 years 600 IU
- Adults 19-70 years 600 IU
- Adults 71 years and older 800 IU
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women 600 IU

How is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed?

Doctors may order below blood tests:

Vitamin D 25, Hydroxy
This test measures the level of vitamin D in the blood. Two forms of vitamin D can be measured in the blood, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the major form found in the blood and is important for bone health and growth. This test is useful for the diagnosis of Vitamin D deficiency and Hypervitaminosis D. It is also used for diagnosis of causes of Rickets & Osteomalacia and for monitoring Vitamin D replacement therapy.
Vitamin D 1, 25 Dihydroxy
1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D plays a primary role in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis. A part of circulating 25-hydroxy vitamin D is converted to 1,25-dihydroxy form in the kidneys. This test may be useful for evaluating calcium metabolism in individuals with hypercalcemia or renal failure in addition to Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy testing.

How do you get Vitamin D?

Sources of Vitamin D include:

Exposure to sunlight for just 10-15 minutes helps your body produce Vitamin D.

Cheese

Mushrooms

Milk Products

Oily fish e.g. Salmon, trout

Fortified Cereals and Juices

Egg Yolk and Red Meat

Dietary Supplements