My Dr. says my Vit. D level is low and I have the blood test results but I don't see it listed. Is it eGFR?
What should my Vitamin D level be in my blood test results?
Question posted by Summerdream on 14 Jan 2013
Last updated on 2 June 2017
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5 Answers
Fragilexmom
15 Jan 2013
I'm on medication VIT 1.25 MG(50,000 Unit) 1 capsule once a month now. At first I was on 1 a week.
Test name. Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy (82306). Results 25.4 (Abn: L). Units NGO/ML. Normal Range. 30.0-100.0
AquariusAnneCA
15 Jan 2013
Looks like the ranges are different on these tests so I cannot comment on what is best and what isn't. I will ask my doctor why my blood test has 20 as being the normal range.
AquariusAnneCA
cupcake7667
15 Jan 2013
Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status. It reflects vitamin D produced cutaneously and that obtained from food and supplements.
Recommended ranges:
Any level <20 is deficient, but the latest research says:
Adjust supplementation accordingly to remain in the range of 35-55 ng/ml which is now considered optimal.
If you do not know your 25(OH)D levels, approximately 2000 IU is a reasonable dose of vitamin D to take until you can get your levels tested. You can assume your low, as a nation we are chronically low. And it's D3 you want to take in supplement form. I can't site my source as this is from being a clinical dietitian, and learning this through various lectures, webinars and research. I take 3000 IU Vit D daily and I believe when I first was checked I was around 20.
I agree with a post that I think was stating that due to scare of skin cancer, everyone went overboard with sunscreens. I remember growing up in the early '80's watching my mom
Sunbathe in baby oil. And she's perfectly fine. I rarely see melanoma in the hospital, but I am not going to undermine any cancer, ever. However, it's recommended we get 15 minutes of sunlight a day, without sunscreen. In my mind, what could be more dangerous, lathering up in chemicals to sit in the sun all day or soak in 15 minutes of glorious sunshine, chemical free. And I've often thought, what causes melanoma? The sun or the chemicals to protect us from the sun. I'm a little sun bunny though so I opt to soak in the rays and maybe I'll use SPF 4, if anything but it depends on skin type, genetics, etc. I'm Italian so my skin loves the sun. HOWEVER, just as we can go overboard with sunscreen, we can go overboard with Vit D. We want to treat but not over treat. :)
AquariusAnneCA
15 Jan 2013
It is wise to always ask for a copy of your blood tests so that you can see the answer to the question you are asking here. My blood test statement shows that my vitamin D 25-OH total is 16 and the the other column states that is "L" for low. The reason your Vitamin D levels are in your blood test resurlts is as follows. The reference range which is what it should be is 20. Then there is a notation on my statement that says: "The 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine recommends that nearly all individuals meet their need for vitamin D with 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels greater than or equal to 20 ng/ ml even under conditions of minimal sun exposure." So it seems after this statement on my sheet received from the Diagnostic Labs, it is a fact that we should be in the 20 or over range...
it is strange that so many of us have low vitamin D levels and I wonder if the sun rays are no longer strong enough due to pollution/other problems. I am taking a gel pill once a week and will be seeing my doctor soon to see how it is going for me.
Hope this helps.
AquariusAnneCA
aprilrob14
15 Jan 2013
AquariusAnneCa,
It isn't the sun rays or anything like that. Check out this published work
http://phys.org/news158425579.html
DzooBaby
15 Jan 2013
I think it is because so many people are told to stay out of the sun due to skin cancer and so many skin products, moisturizers, make up etc have sun block that now people have low vitamin D levels. We have been enundated with the message about how bad the sun and ultraviolet rays are. It seems to me that females in particular are low.
AquariusAnneCA
15 Jan 2013
Hi April, went to the website but the article was published in 2009 and so much more research has been done since then. My blood tests show that 20 is the recommended level and mine is at 16 and yet my friend talks of much much higher levels of recommendation.
AquariusAnneCA
Lottiemouse_1
2 June 2017
It has nothing to do with being in the sun. Vitamin D that the sun emits is for the growth of fungi like mushrooms. Vitamin D3 is for the sun, yes the sun does emit this vitamin, but staying in the sun too long can damage skin. It is not just a case of sitting and sunbathing, if only it was that easy. But you have to remember that everyone is different, totally different, if it was as easy as sunbathing, we wouldn't need the medication.
DzooBaby
14 Jan 2013
No, it isnt the eGFR. It should say Vitamin D 25-hydroxy and is usually ordered by a special test. It isnt in the metabolic panel like the eGFR is. eGFR is estimated Glomerular filtration rate and shows part of kidney function, how well your kidneys filter a waste called creatinine. Look in a different section of the bloodwork for the Vitamin D test.
aprilrob14
14 Jan 2013
No, the .gfr test is for kidney function. I just recently got my Vit D results as well and it is 17 and I was told it should be 30 to 50. I have RA and we usually have low Vit D. So your disorder/disease may cause low levels. That is a good question for your doc.
They put me on 50,000 ut Vit D once a wk. It isn't anything to worry about but it does cause fatigue.
Hope this was helpful!
Wish you well
April
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vitamin d, vitamins, blood disorders, blood test
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