Vitamin D Total
Vitamin D, in addition to providing strength to the bones also helps in augmenting immunity. It is an essential nutritional tool of the body as it performs different roles. Deficiency of vitamin D can result in some major health issues.
Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and keeping the bones strong. Sunlight helps in the production of vitamin D in the body. The other sources of vitamin D include egg, fish and dairy products. In the liver, vitamin D is converted into 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcidiol). Total vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2) is the best indicator of vitamin D reserves in the body.
Why is the test ordered?
Vitamin D test is ordered to screen people who are at risk of deficiency. Apart from adults with signs and symptoms of osteomalacia and children with rickets, elderly persons not having enough exposure to sunlight may also be recommended for vitamin D test. The test may also be recommended to determine the effectiveness of treatment given for the vitamin D deficiency.
How is the sample collected?
A blood sample is collected from the arm.
How to prepare for the test?
Overnight fasting is preferred.
