Vitamin D Blood Test
Vitamin D is both a nutrient you eat as well as a hormone that is produced in your skin in response to sunlight; it plays a significant role in bone health because it helps regulate calcium and phosphorus— two essential minerals that work together to build strong bones.
This test evaluates 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-D): the best measure of how much vitamin D is stored in your body. A prolonged deficiency in vitamin D can pose health risks. Vitamin D occurs naturally in very few foods so most people cannot get sufficient vitamin D through nutrition alone. If vitamin D levels are low, vitamin supplementation may be helpful, especially when access to natural sunlight is limited.
Preparation
No special preparation.
Why Consider This Test
At Risk of Deficiency
People who might need extra vitamin D include:1
• Seniors
• People with dark skin
• People with certain conditions, such as liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease
• People who have obesity or have had gastric bypass surgery
Bone Health
Vitamin D helps regulate the calcium levels in our bodies, which plays an important role in strengthening bones and preventing bone-weakening conditions, such as osteoporosis.
Proactive Prevention
It is possible to improve your vitamin D levels through nutrition, increased sunlight exposure, and supplements.2
References:
- “Vitamin D.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 Jan. 2019, https://www.medlineplus.gov/vitamind.html
- “Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin D.” NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Packages With This Test
Are you getting enough of these essential vitamins? Let’s find out.
How To Get This Test
1. Choose your tests
Shop for tests and pay online. An independent physician will review and approve your test requests; no doctor’s visit is required.
2. Provide Your Sample
Take the requisition number we emailed you, along with a photo ID, to a Labcorp location for sample collection.
3. Access your results online
View your easy-to-read results online in your Pixel by Labcorp account. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.
Getting My Results
We've made getting your results easier and more convenient than ever. View your easy-to-read results online in your Pixel by Labcorp account. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail. To view a sample report click the "sample report" button below.
