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Adequate vitamin D is vital for both physical and mental well-being. It plays a key role in bone strength, supports the immune system, and can positively influence mood. Yet, numerous people in Western Europe live with low vitamin D levels. You can conveniently test your vitamin D levels at home with this simple dried blood spot test.
Test for: 25-hydroxy vitamin D
Test method: Finger prick dried blood spot test
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, a fat-soluble hormone, is crucial for absorbing calcium and phosphate in the body. The human body primarily produces vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight’s UV rays. Additionally, vitamin D is present in various animal-based foods like egg yolks, fatty fish, and dairy products. It can also be found in mushrooms and in foods that have been fortified with it.
Vitamin D is essential for several bodily functions. It aids in the growth and upkeep of robust bones and teeth, supports muscle function and recovery, and enhances the performance of the immune system.
Where does Vitamin D come from?
Vitamin D can be obtained from various sources, with sunlight being the primary one. While sunlight itself doesn’t contain vitamin D, the body can synthesize it when skin is exposed to the sun’s rays. This synthesis occurs as ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin during sun exposure. Besides sunlight, vitamin D is also available in certain foods, including fatty fish, mushrooms, and fortified products like orange juice, cereals, and some dairy items. However, individuals with limited sun exposure might not produce adequate vitamin D, as it’s challenging to rely solely on dietary sources. This situation is more prevalent in countries with less sunny climates or during winter. To prevent deficiency, it’s beneficial to check vitamin D levels periodically. Potential deficiencies can be treated by by increasing sunlight exposure, adjusting your diet, or taking supplements.
When is a Vitamin D test useful?
Since vitamin D is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies, almost anyone can benefit from performing a test. This is especially true during the winter months, as people often get less vitamin D because it is dark for longer and spend more time indoors. It can also be useful to check your vitamin D level in other seasons, particularly if you do not spend much time outdoors during the day. If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate a possible deficiency, it is also useful to do a vitamin D test. Gaining clarity about your vitamin D levels can help you get to the root of your symptoms and remedy a deficiency if needed.
What are the signs of a vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to various symptoms impacting your energy, mood, bones, and muscles. However, it’s important to note that these symptoms aren’t exclusive to a vitamin D deficiency and can arise from numerous other causes. Symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency include:
What are the signs of too much vitamin D?
Taking high doses of vitamin D supplements or consuming excessive amounts of foods fortified with vitamin D can lead to an accumulation of vitamin D in the body. This can lead to increased calcium levels in the blood and symptoms indicative of toxicity. The symptoms of too much vitamin D include:
How soon will I receive the results of this vitamin home test?
As soon as you have taken your sample and then sent it to our laboratory, it should take a few working days to receive your test result. As soon as your test kit arrives at the laboratory you will receive a notification by email. Once your test result is ready, you will receive a text message and an email with a link to your result. We will therefore keep you well informed throughout the entire testing process!
What is a healthy vitamin D level?
There are various reference values used to determine a healthy vitamin D level. Homed-IQ test results follow the following reference ranges:
What do the results of this test mean?
Vitamin D deficiency:
A vitamin D level that is too low indicates a deficiency. Causes of vitamin D deficiency include inadequate sunlight exposure, a diet low in vitamin D-rich foods, or poor absorption in the intestines. To remedy a vitamin D deficiency, you can increase your sun exposure, enhance your diet with more vitamin-D-rich foods, or consider taking supplements. However, it’s recommended to speak with a doctor before beginning any supplement regimen to establish the appropriate dosage for your needs.
Sufficient Vitamin D:
If your vitamin D levels are sufficient, it means you have enough vitamin D to maintain good bone and overall health. No changes are required at this point, but consider getting tested again in the future if your sunlight exposure, diet, or supplement use changes.
Vitamin D Toxicity:
Too much vitamin D can lead to vitamin D toxicity. When vitamin D levels are excessively high, it can result in an accumulation of calcium in the blood. Typically, vitamin D toxicity arises from taking too many supplements. To address high vitamin D levels, it’s necessary to reduce or halt supplement intake. Consulting with a doctor about your vitamin D supplement usage is crucial to ensure you are not exceeding safe levels.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for most people is 10 micrograms. The safe upper limit for vitamin D has been set at 100 micrograms per day. Some individuals need more vitamin D than they can get from sunlight or food. People with a dark complexion, young children and pregnant women benefit from an additional 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day. Elderly people are recommended to receive an extra 20 micrograms per day (Voedingscentrum).
Vitamin D deficiency may have no noticeable symptoms, but is often indicated by symptoms of fatigue or muscle cramps. Other symptoms can also occur, such as;
Vitamin D deficiency is most often caused by inadequate exposure to sunlight or a diet lacking Vitamin D rich foods. Vitamin D supplements can help in case of a vitamin D deficiency. It is also possible to have a vitamin D level that is too high, usually from excessive use of supplements. To learn more, read our blog “How much vitamin D is too much?“.
Most fatty fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, but also fish liver oil contain vitamin D. Other examples of foods that contain vitamins D2 and D3 are cheese, egg yolks and mushrooms, but in much lower doses.
A vitamin D test provides information about your vitamin D level. Since the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often non-specific, a deficiency can go undetected. The test results allow you to take appropriate action in the event of a deficiency or overdose. You can also rule out a vitamin D imbalance as a cause of symptoms you may be experiencing if your test result is normal.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in bone formation, muscle health, and immune system function, as well as other processes in the body. When looking into products or supplements containing vitamin D, you may come across the term vitamin D3. This may bring the following question to your mind; what is the difference between the two and what is the most beneficial for me? Learn more about the difference between
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that supports bone health, muscle function, and the immune system. Vitamin D occurs naturally in certain foods, and can also be produced by our bodies with the help of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays- which is why it is also called the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies, particularly in people who work indoors, live in cold or cloudy climates, have darker
