Vitamin D Profile (D2, D3 & D Total)
Understanding Vitamin D Profile (D2, D3 & D Total)
What is Vitamin D Profile (D2, D3 & D Total)?
The vitamin -D profile measures the levels of vitamin D in your body. This profile offers a Vitamin D3 test, Vitamin D2 test, and Vitamin D test (Total). You may need this test if you have symptoms such as bone pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and frequent urination. This test is also a useful indicator of osteoporosis (bone weakness), rickets (bone malformation), and osteomalacia(bone softening). Measures such as eating food containing vitamin D and getting more sunlight may help maintain optimal vitamin D levels in your body.
What is Vitamin D Profile (D2, D3 & D Total) used for?
- To determine vitamin D deficiency when calcium level is low or a person has symptoms of vitamin D deficiency such as bone malformation in children (rickets), bone weakness, softness, or fracture in adults (osteomalacia).
- Before starting osteoporosis therapy.
- To monitor that the treatment is correct for patients who are receiving Vitamin D supplements, calcium, phosphorus, and/or magnesium supplements.
- To diagnose/monitor problems with parathyroid gland functioning since the parathyroid hormone (PTH) is essential for vitamin D activation.
- To monitor the health status of individuals with diseases that interfere with fat absorption (e.g., cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease) and in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.
Interpreting Vitamin D Profile (D2, D3 & D Total) results
Interpretations
Vitamin D level below the normal reference range indicates that vitamin D deficiency. This can be because of less sun exposure, dietary deficiency, or due to decreased absorption from the intestine.
Vitamin D level above the normal reference range indicates vitamin D intoxication. This is usually due to excess supplementation of the vitamin.
Range:
The normal range of vitamin D Total is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nmol/L and can vary from lab to lab.
Level |
Reference range (ng/mL) |
Deficiency |
<20 ng/mL |
Insufficiency |
20-30 ng/mL |
Sufficiency |
30-100 ng/mL |
Toxicity |
>100 ng/mL |
Note:
· The assay measures both vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) metabolites of vitamin D.
· There can be seasonal variation in 25 (OH) vitamin D level, with values being 40-50% lower in winter than in summer. It is also influenced by sunlight, latitude, skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and hepatic function.
· 25 (OH) vitamin D levels can vary with age
· 25 (OH) vitamin D level is increased in pregnancy.