Vitamin D test measures your body’s genetic ability to use vitamin D and gives you recommendations if there is a risk for decreased vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” is a hormone that is important to many aspects of good health. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency) is a serious problem for people living around the world. Types: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).
Vitamin D plays an important role in many normal body functions, including the regulation of cell growth.
- Bone formation.
- Immune function.
- Muscle strength.
- Hair growth.
- Fighting infections.
- Reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin D comes from exposure to sunlight.
- Certain fish and fish oils are good sources of vitamin D.
- Vitamin D supplements that can be bought over-the-counter (without a prescription) are available in 400 IU (international units), 600 IU, 700 IU, 800 IU, and 1000 IU tablets.
Vitamin D deficiency may be secondary to multiple etiologies including decreased dietary intake or absorption, reduced exposure to sun, increased hepatic catabolism, decreased endogenous synthesis, and end-organ resistance. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and hip fractures as well as other skeletal and non-skeletal disorders.
Try our Vitamin D test to find out if you have a vitamin D deficiency.