Vitamin D: Lab Tests Explained
As we continue our series explaining various lab tests, Dr. Dave Strobel briefly goes over the importance of vitamin D in the body. He discusses two lab tests that might be used to measure it and his views on what the optimal range really is.
The first thing to understand is that vitamin D isn't technically a vitamin. Since it's something the body makes for itself, as opposed only getting it from food, it's actually a hormone. Because of this, getting your vitamin D levels in the right place isn't as simple as downing a couple of Flintstones vitamins every once in a while.
Because vitamin D is only created by the body in response to exposure to a particular wavelength of sunlight, there are some obstacles for the body to get its vitamin D levels in the optimal range. If you are a person whose job is primarily indoors, or you otherwise spend most of your time indoors, you probably aren't getting that much direct sunlight. Even if you are someone who spends a great deal of time outside, changes in the weather may mean you aren't getting as much vitamin D as you actually need—especially when the fall and winter seasons settle in.
The vast majority of Americans are likely vitamin D deficient to some degree. The test you would use to determine your vitamin D levels is called 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D. The normal range for vitamin D is generally around 30–100 nanograms per milliliter. Though again, if most of the population is vitamin D deficient, then that normal range may not actually be that normal.
As Dr. Strobel says in the video, 60–100 nanograms per milliliter is probably a good range to aim for. While there are doctors who say that the real optimal range is more like 100–140 nanograms per milliliter, as long as you are above 60, you are probably doing okay.
If you are interested in a more in-depth look at vitamin D, including topics of how your body makes it, what it does, and how to optimize your levels, check out the Importance of Vitamin D lesson in the Lab Tests learning module available for free on our website. All you need to do is to make an account!
HELPcare Clinic membership covers the costs for 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D, as well as more than 55 other tests, at no extra charge. The savings are significant. Unhurried primary care appointments at HELPcare Clinic give you and your provider time to dig into the results to better understand what's going on with your health.
Note: These videos are presented for educational purposes only. Your use of this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Specific medical advice is only offered through membership in HELPcare Clinic.
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