Order this Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy (Frozen) Blood Test to measure vitamin D levels in a frozen blood sample to help diagnose a deficiency or toxicity. Although blood samples for lab tests can stay stable for many days under certain temperatures, live blood cells may start dying within two days. Therefore, specific lab tests with longer turnaround times, like this vitamin D test, require the samples to be frozen. Frozen temperatures can ensure the viability of the sample.
Vitamin D is essential in assisting the body to absorb calcium, which makes it vital to sustaining bone health in adults and growing children. Deficient levels of vitamin D may cause abnormal bone development, bone weakness, and pain. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can cause developmental problems in children like a bone-malformation condition known as rickets. Similarly, adults can develop a condition called osteomalacia.
Both rickets and osteomalacia are characterized by the following:
- Bone weakness and softness
- Pain in bone and hip joints
- Fractures of the bones
- Difficulty standing or walking
A sufficient amount of vitamin D is needed for the body to control the blood's calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. Additionally, recent investigations have shown that vitamin D levels also influence the growth of other tissues in the body and help regulate the immune system. In addition, researchers believe vitamin D deficiency is linked to the development of diseases such as cancer, heart disease‚ osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Individuals at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency include:
- 65 and older
- Obese or overweight
- Have dark skin
- Limited sun exposure
- Recently underwent weight loss surgery
- Diagnosed with conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, or Crohn's disease
The body obtains vitamin D in two ways:
- By consuming foods rich in vitamin D (mushrooms, vitamin-enriched foods) and taking dietary supplements.
- By generating vitamin D in the skin after absorbing direct sunlight.
Vitamin D is then absorbed into the bloodstream and undergoes a chemical change in the liver and the kidneys to convert into 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
Overexposure to sunlight or overuse of vitamin D dietary supplements may result in excessive levels of it in the bloodstream, a condition known as vitamin D toxicity. Vitamin D toxicity can cause damage to the kidneys and lead to elevated calcium levels in the bloodstream. Vitamin D toxicity is associated with the condition known as hypercalcemia and is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Heart rhythm problems
- Disorientation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Constipation
Individuals may order this Vitamin D-25 Hydroxy Frozen Blood Test if they have experienced symptoms of either a vitamin D deficiency or toxicity and to monitor their osteoporosis and hypercalcemia treatment.
