Vitamin D test - confused
 

I recently visited a new pcp regarding some symptoms i've been dealing with for a long while. My pcp had me get blood work done for various tests including what I thought was a test for vitamin d deficiency test. While waiting for my results I looked further into this and realized that my symptoms seem to align with this and thought for sure my results would come back low. I got my results today and the nurse said that everything was good. I asked her what my level was and she said it was 36, 18-78 being normal. Looking into this further I realized that my dr ordered the 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin d test and i've read in various places on the internet that this test is not correct for testing vitamin deficiency. Does anyone know what these numbers mean and also if I should ask my dr for the other vitamin d test or if this one came out "normal" then the other should be normal as well? Any feedback would be awesome. Thanks! This is all very confusing.

Re: Vitamin D test - confused
 

The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test, which is what you indicate you had, is the most accurate test for Vitamin D levels. The normal range being 30 to 74, so you are within that range. If you wanted to bump up your numbers a bit I don't think it would hurt to take a vitamin D-3 supplement or . . . try to get more noon day sun on your skin.

Jen

Re: Vitamin D test - confused
 

[QUOTE=jenj770;4917200]The 25-hydroxy vitamin D test, which is what you indicate you had, is the most accurate test for Vitamin D levels. The normal range being 30 to 74, so you are within that range. If you wanted to bump up your numbers a bit I don't think it would hurt to take a vitamin D-3 supplement or . . . try to get more noon day sun on your skin.

Jen[/QUOTE]

Hi Jen,

Thanks so much for the reply. The test my dr gave me was the 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin d and i was reading online that it is different than the 25-hydroxy vitamin d test and the later was the correct one like you said. Is there no difference?

Re: Vitamin D test - confused
 

Hi,

You are correct. I thought you were referring to the test I mentioned but the one you had is, indeed, different. Yes, I would try to have the 25 hydroxy test done.

Sorry for the misinformation :(

Best, Jen

Re: Vitamin D test - confused
 

I thought I would post a follow-up. My first dr did indeed give me the wrong test. I am seeing a new dr who is wonderful and got more bloodwork done including the correct d test to test for deficiency. I got my results back today and my level as at a 6! So glad I followed through and saw someone else. Its hard to believe that this could cause so many problems, but after reading some posts on the board it makes complete sense now. Now I'm wondering how long it should take to see some improvement, but since I'm at a 6 I figure it will probably take a while.

Re: Vitamin D test - confused
 

Wow!! A 6 is extremely low. Mine was 17 and they thought that was bad! I was told they like it above 50, but I doubt I'll ever get there. It took me months to get to 20 after I started my supplements. So, I think it does take time. I think my level is low because I'm lactose intolerant and I drink lactose free milk. This milk does not have as much Vitamin D and Calcium as regular milk. Also, I stay inside a lot and don't get much sun as I suffer from chronic pain. Well, make sure you take your supplements faithfully, and get some sun if you can!...janiee:)