Vitamin D test

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. A fat-soluble vitamin means it can be stored by the body and released when needed.

Vitamin D is most commonly produced in the skin as cholecalciferol (D3).  There are different forms of Vitamin D, but the most important is D3. It can be formed naturally from sunlight exposure as the UVB rays helps the body produce Vitamin D from cholesterol. Vitamin D can also be found in found sources such as dairy, oily fish, egg yolk, and cod liver oil.

Vitamin D derived from either our skin or from food begins as an inactive form. It first travels to the liver and becomes the circulating form of Vitamin D (calcifediol (25-OH D)). It then travels to the kidneys where it is transformed to the active form called calcitriol which is more effective than circulating Vitamin D.

Vitamin D has many benefits including keeping your immune system strong, and maintaining bone health. It has been shown that taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

Because Vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin (your body can’t get rid of excessive intake from supplements) over consumption of Vitamin D (in large doses) can elevate calcium and phosphate levels. This can result in side effects including an upset stomach. It can also cause a build-up of calcium salts (calcification) in the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Causes of low Vitamin D levels can include inadequate sunlight exposure, low dietary intake of Vitamin D, conditions that affect the absorption of vitamin D, obesity, darker skin tone.

This test measures the levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D in the Blood.

Finger prick, self-collection home testing kit. Full instructions included in testing kit Take your test first thing in the morning following an overnight fast. *samples must be posted back the same day using the free post address box.

Samples are analysed by a fully accredited laboratory. Accreditation by ISO15189, is the International Standard for Medical Laboratories.