Vitamin Profile
Understanding Vitamin Profile
What is Vitamin Profile?
The Vitamin Profile is a group of tests that assesses the levels of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), Vitamin D, and Vitamin B9 (folate) in the body. These tests help evaluate the nutritional status, detect vitamin deficiencies, and monitor the effectiveness of supplementation or dietary changes.
Vitamins B9 (folate), B12 (cobalamin), and D are crucial in various physiological functions, including energy metabolism, bone health, and DNA synthesis. Hence, determining their levels can provide significant health information. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and B9 (folate) are essential for DNA synthesis and the formation of red blood cells. Furthermore, Vitamin B12 is also vital for neurological function. Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones and teeth, immune function, and overall well-being.
Your doctor may advise the Vitamin Profile if you experience symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, joint or muscle pain, sudden weight changes, hair loss, frequent infections, and lower back pain. Additionally, this test may help monitor the nutritional status of individuals with medical conditions that make them more prone to nutritional deficiencies, such as bone disorders, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Abnormal Vitamin Profile results indicate deficiencies that may require supplementation or dietary adjustments. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological problems, among other health conditions. It may result from malabsorption, inadequate dietary intake (especially in vegetarians and vegans), and some medical conditions that affect the stomach or intestines. The risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency include limited sun exposure, dark skin, obesity, malabsorption disorders, and inadequate dietary intake. Low Vitamin D levels can lead to conditions like rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and an increased risk of fractures. Vitamin B9 or folate deficiency can occur due to inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, alcoholism, and certain medications and may lead to megaloblastic anemia or neural tube defects in newborns.
No fasting is required for this test. You can eat and drink normally as per your routine. However, talk to your doctor about other precautions before taking the test. Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition and recommend dietary modifications and supplementation to optimize vitamin levels and support your overall well-being.
What is Vitamin Profile used for?
The Vitamin Profile is done:
- To check the levels of vitamins B9, B12, and D.
- To monitor vitamin levels in individuals with chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
- In Individuals with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, bone pain, muscle weakness, numbness, burning, or tingling sensation in hands, feet, or arms.
- To assess nutritional status during pregnancy, adequate levels are essential to prevent complications such as neural tube defects in the developing fetus.
What does Vitamin Profile measure?
Contains 3 testsThe Vitamin Profile covers testing of three vitamins, including vitamins B9, B12, and D. These vitamins are required by your body for the proper functioning of the nervous system, cell growth, DNA formation, building immunity, bone health, and maintaining your overall health. Deranged levels of these vitamins can give rise to lethargy, irritation, muscle spasms, fatigue, anemia, psychological disorders, or toxicity if not given timely attention.
Vitamin B 9
The Vitamin B 9 test analyzes the levels of vitamin B9 in the blood. Vitamin B9 is a part of the B complex of vitamins and is an essential nutrient, meaning the body cannot produce it and has to be taken into the diet. Folate is the naturally occurring form of vitamin B9, whereas folic acid refers to a supplement that is added to food and drinks. The deficiency of vitamin B9 (folic acid) can also lead to macrocytic anemia in which the size of the RBCs becomes larger than normal.
Know more about Vitamin B 9
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.
Know more about Vitamin B12
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.
Know more about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)
Interpreting Vitamin Profile results
Interpretations
The normal range of Vitamin B12 is 211 - 911 pg/mL, irrespective of sex and age.
High levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Kidney failure
-
Diabetes
-
Liver disease
Low levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
-
Anemia
-
Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid)
-
Worm infection
The normal range of vitamin D (25-OH) is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nmol/L and can vary from lab to lab.
|
Level |
Reference range (ng/mL) |
|
Deficiency |
<20 |
|
Insufficiency |
20-29 |
|
Sufficiency |
30-100 |
|
Toxicity |
>100 |
-
There can be seasonal variations in vitamin D (25-OH) levels. The values can be 40-50% lower in winter than in summer. It is also influenced by sunlight, latitude, skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and hepatic function.
-
Vitamin D (25-OH) levels can vary with age.
-
Vitamin D (25-OH) levels increase during pregnancy.
The normal range of Vitamin B9 is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
|
Result in ng/mL |
Remarks |
|
0.35 - 0.37 |
Deficient |
|
3.38 - 5.38 |
Indeterminate |
|
> 5.38 |
Normal |
-
Certain medicines like methotrexate and leucovorin can cause changes in vitamin B9 levels.
-
Methylmalonic acid in urine and serum homocysteine tests are suggested to differentiate between vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 deficiencies.
*Reference range may vary from lab to lab
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin Profile
Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin Profile
Q. What does the Vitamin Profile measure?
Q. What diseases are diagnosed with the Vitamin Profile?
Q. Do I need to fast before taking the Vitamin Profile test?
Q. How is the Vitamin Profile performed?
Q. Is there any risk associated with the Vitamin Profile?
Q. What is the benefit of getting the Vitamin Profile done?
Q. Can I take the Vitamin Profile during pregnancy?
Q. What can affect my Vitamin Profile results?
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References
- Folate (Folic Acid) – Vitamin B9 [Internet]. Boston, MA: Harvard T.H Chan. School of Public Health; Mar. 2023 [Accessed 17 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/folic-acid/
- Overview- Vitamins and minerals. NHS; 03 Aug. 2020 [Accessed 17 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/
- Vitamin and mineral supplements-what to know [Internet]. Australia: Better Health Channel; 07 Aug. 2022 [Accessed 17 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamin-and-minerals
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