Vitamin D3 Level (25-OH), Serum: Vitamin D testing measures the level of this essential substance in your blood. It is used to diagnose vitamin D deficiencies or to monitor treatment for a known deficiency.
The main function of vitamin D is to aid in the absorption of calcium during bone formation. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D supports healthy bones. In addition, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and other properties that play a role in maintaining normal muscle, immune, and nervous system functions. Vitamin D testing is ordered to determine if a deficiency, insufficiency, or toxic level of vitamin D is present or to monitor treatment for a previously diagnosed deficiency.
Common symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are weakening of the bones, fatigue, abnormal bone development, bone deformity, bone pain, muscle weakness or cramps, seizures and, dental abnormalities
Certain factors such as age over 65 years, obesity, history of weight loss surgery, osteoporosis, reduced ability to make vitamin D in the skin due to limited sun exposure, sunscreen use, or dark pigmentation, digestive diseases that make it difficult to absorb nutrients from food including celiac diseases and Crohn’s disease, kidney and liver disease, use of certain medications increase your risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.
Excess vitamin D in supplement form may cause your body to absorb more calcium from food and to reabsorb calcium from the bones into the blood. This results in excess calcium in the blood, also known as hypercalcemia, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, confusion, bone pain, nausea and vomiting, frequent urination, and kidney problems. Always ensure Vitamin D supplements are taken as per the advice of your treating physician.
