Cardio IQ® Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy Blood Test

Order this Cardio IQ® Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy Blood Test to help diagnose a deficiency or toxicity and monitor response to vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 supplementation. Vitamin D is essential for managing overall health in adults and developing children. A deficiency of vitamin D can cause children to develop a bone-malformation condition known as rickets, and adults can develop osteomalacia, characterized by:

• Weakness
• Softness
• Pain in the bones and hips
• Fractures of the bones
• Difficulty walking

Adequate vitamin D levels are required for the body to regulate the blood's calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. In fact, recent studies have shown that vitamin D levels influence the growth of other tissues in the body and the regulation of the immune system. In addition, researchers think vitamin D deficiency is linked to the development of conditions such as cancer, heart disease‚ osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis.

Those at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency include individuals who:

• Are older than 65
• Are obese or overweight
• Have dark skin
• Have limited sun exposure 
• Recently underwent weight loss surgery
• Have a condition such as kidney or liver disease, cystic fibrosis, or Crohn's disease

The body gets vitamin D in two forms: vitamin D2 & D3. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is produced in mushrooms, vitamin-enriched foods, and dietary supplements. However, when exposed to direct sunlight, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is generated in the skin. Vitamin D3 may also be obtained from certain animal-based products, vitamin-enriched foods, and dietary supplements. Both forms of vitamin D are absorbed into the bloodstream and undergo a chemical change in the liver and the kidneys to become 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

It is important to note that too much vitamin D, also referred to as vitamin D toxicity, can be as harmful as a deficiency. Vitamin D toxicity is caused by over usage of vitamin D supplements or overexposure to sunlight. Excessive amounts of vitamin D cause damage to the kidneys and lead to elevated calcium levels in the bloodstream. This condition is known as hypercalcemia and is characterized by:

• Heart rhythm problems
• Disorientation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Constipation

The Cardio IQ® Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy Blood Test is usually ordered for individuals experiencing symptoms of either a vitamin D deficiency or toxicity. Individuals may also order this test to monitor their osteoporosis and hypercalcemia treatment.