Vitamin D plays in important part in how your body absorbs and uses calcium. Many adults in developed countries are vitamin D deficient due to a lack of exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is best diagnosed by determining the levels of vitamin D metabolites in your blood. Your doctor may periodically test your vitamin D levels to make sure you have sufficient vitamin D for proper health.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential factor for health and development. Most notably, vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium, explains MayoClinic.com. Vitamin D may also have roles in immunity, heart health and cancer prevention. Your body makes a specific form of vitamin D, referred to as vitamin D3, when your skin comes into contact with sunlight. Vitamin D3 can also come from food such as fish, eggs, fortified cereals and specific vitamin D supplements.
Tests
The best way to determine if you are vitamin D deficient is have your doctor perform a vitamin D blood test. This simple blood test measures the amount of a specific vitamin D metabolite in your blood called 25-hydroxyvitamin D. According to the Vitamin D Council, it is not common to test for vitamin D3 in your blood, as such a test will not tell your doctor how well your body is processing vitamin D. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels will let you and your doctor know if your body is getting enough vitamin D and if that vitamin D is being used by your body.
Deficiency
Your doctor may consider you to be vitamin D deficient if your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is below 30 ng/mL, according to MedlinePlus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health. In this case, your doctor will likely advise you to take a vitamin D supplement. You may also be told to eat specific foods that contain high levels of vitamin D.
Recommendations
If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels and bone health, ask your doctor to order a vitamin D blood test. MedlinePlus advises not eating at least four hours before such a blood test. If your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are found to be low, ask your doctor if you should take a vitamin D3 supplement and at what dose. Follow your doctor's advice carefully and schedule a follow-up test to determine if supplementation is having a positive effect on your vitamin D levels.
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