Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium
Understanding Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium
What is Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium?
The Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium test measures the levels of Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy), Vitamin B12 ,and calcium in the blood. These tests are essential for evaluating bone strength, nerve function and overall health. These tests help detect deficiencies or excesses that could lead to health problems.
The Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium test provides vital information about the overall health. Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) is important for calcium absorption and bone strength,while also supporting immune function and mood regulation. Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in red blood cell formation, nerve function and energy production. Calcium is a key mineral for strong bones and teeth, as well as for proper muscle and heart function. Together, these tests help identify deficiencies that could lead to conditions like osteoporosis, fatigue, nerve damage, or muscle weakness, ensuring timely intervention and better outcome.
Deficiencies of these nutrients can lead to symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, numbness or poor immune function. On the other hand, excessive levels can also cause problems such as kidney stones, nerve damage. This profile helps detect imbalances early, ensuring proper management and preventing complications. It is especially important for individuals with bone health concerns, dietary restrictions, or frequent symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness etc.
An overnight fasting is preferred for Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium test but is not mandatory. Inform your doctor about all the medications or supplements that you may be taking as these may affect the test results, potentially requiring dosage adjustments or temporary discontinuation before the test.
Lab test results may vary across laboratories. Do not self-medicate at home solely based on these results and always consult a doctor for proper understanding of the test results. The test results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, prescribe medication if required to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan.
What is Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium used for?
The Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium test can be done:
- To assess bone health, immune function, and detect deficiencies or excesses affecting overall well-being.
- To check for deficiencies impacting energy levels, red blood cell production or nerve function.
- To monitor bone strength, muscle function and overall mineral balance and identify imbalances that can lead to health issues.
What does Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium measure?
Contains 3 testsThe Vitamin D, B12 & Calcium test measures the levels of Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy), Vitamin B12, and calcium in the blood. These are the important nutrients that are essential for overall health. The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test checks the levels of vitamin D in the blood, which is crucial for bone health and immune function. The Vitamin B12 test measures Vitamin B12 levels, necessary for energy production, nerve health and red blood cell formation. The Calcium test assesses calcium levels, vital for strong bones, muscle function, and heart health. This profile helps detect imbalances, guiding appropriate treatments or need for supplementation.
Serum Calcium
The Serum Calcium test measures the levels of calcium in the body. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body; most of it is present in the bones and teeth, and the remaining portion (around 1%) is found in the blood. It is usually present in two forms in blood in about equal amounts: "bound calcium," which is attached to proteins in the blood, and "free calcium or ionized calcium," which is not attached to any protein.
The Serum Calcium test cannot be used to check for lack of calcium in your diet or osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) as the body can have normal calcium levels even in dietary calcium deficiency. Moreover, the body can normalize mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones.
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Vitamin B12
The Vitamin B12 test measures your vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 is essential for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells. Low vitamin B12 levels are more likely to occur in older adults, children, vegans, vegetarians, people with diabetes, individuals who underwent gastric bypass surgery, women who are breastfeeding, and in conditions that impact absorption of this vitamin, like Crohn’s disease. Higher vitamin B12 levels seen in pateint on vitamin suplement does not need treatment as excessive vitamin B12 is usually removed through the urine. However, some conditions, such as liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders, can cause an increase in vitamin B12 levels, thereby affecting blood cell production.
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Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)
The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the levels of vitamin D in the body. It is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. It majorly exists in two forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is present in plants, such as yeast or mushrooms, and is available as a supplement in fortified foods, and vitamin D3 is found in foods like cheese, green vegetables, mushrooms, egg yolks, and fatty fish.
Both forms of vitamin D (D2 and D3) need to undergo some chemical changes before being available for use in the body. These chemical changes take place in the liver or kidneys.The levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D in blood is considered the best parameter to assess vitamin D status of the body. A Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) measures the level of Total 25-OH vitamin D (D2+D3) , but it does not differentiate between the two forms as it is the major form of vitamin D that circulates in the blood.
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