Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is responsible for helping the body use calcium to support the skeletal system. Vitamin D deficiency, or low levels of vitamin D, may cause weak bones, fractures and muscle pain or spasms. Vitamin D deficiency can be reversed with supplements and a diet rich in vitamin D foods. A blood test ordered by your physician is the only way to determine whether or not your vitamin D level is low.
Step 1
Make an appointment with your health care provider. Discuss your health care concerns and any symptoms you may be having, such as bone pain or muscle weakness, and how they may relate to low levels of vitamin D.
Step 2
Get a blood test to check your levels of vitamin D, as recommended by your physician. Prepare to have your blood drawn from your arm by rolling up your sleeve, or removing long-sleeve clothing if appropriate. Allow the phlebotomist to collect blood from your arm by placing a needle inside a vein and collecting a blood sample into a tube.
Step 3
Inquire whether the blood test is performed in-house or sent to a testing laboratory, so you may get an estimate of how soon results will be available.
Step 4
Follow up with your physician when the results of your vitamin D test are available. Discuss the results with your doctor and ask what they mean for your health, and if treatment is needed.
Tips and Warnings
- The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is commonly used to check vitamin D levels. A low vitamin D level can be caused by lack of sunlight exposure, use of certain prescription medications, a lack of vitamin D in your diet, liver disease or kidney disease. The normal level of vitamin D ranges from 30.0 to 74.0 nanograms per milliliter, though this can vary slightly between laboratories.
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