Vitamin D Test: Price, Normal Range & Procedure [2024]

• Price
• D Vs D3
• Purpose
• Procedure
• Preparation
• Results
• Sample Report
• Common questions

Vitamin D blood test measures the 25-OH Vitamin D levels in the blood. It detects the Vitamin D deficiency in the bones and teeth of the patients, including women and children. More than 7 out of 10 people in India are vitamin D deficient. It is a simple blood test that costs Rs 800 to Rs 1500 in India.

The abnormal test result suggests Bone abnormalities like osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), Rickettsia(a condition of bow legs), Nutrition issues, organ damage, and other medical issues.

Test Details in Brief

Also Known As	25-OH Cholecalciferol, 25-OH Vitamin D Test, Calcidiol Test, Vitamin D3 test
Purpose	Abnormal Calcium Metabolism, Problems in Parathyroid gland, Vitamin D & D3 Deficiency
Preparation	No special preparation is required
Fasting	Not Required
Reporting Time	8 to 48 Hrs.
Cost	Rs. 800 to Rs. 1550

What are Vitamin D and Vitamin D3?

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for normal growth, and patients should take their small quantities in the diet. Vitamin D is essential for healthy teeth and bones.

There are two subtypes of Vitamin D: Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. These two vitamins are fat-soluble and help absorb Phosphate, Calcium and Magnesium. 80% to 85% is vitamin D3, and 15-20% is vitamin D2.

Generally, the Vitamin D test measure the Vitamin D total (D2+D3) in blood and it is a commonly accepted indicator of vitamin D3.

The liver and kidney transform Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 into 25 hydroxy vitamin D or 25(OH)D with chemical reactions. These above two forms then circulate in the bloodstream of the body.

Different Types of Vitamin D

There are three types of vitamin D tests:

1. 25-OH Vitamin D: The test is also known as the calcidiol 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol test. This test helps detect bone weakness and bone malformation in children. It is also required after the completion of gastric bypass surgery(surgery of the stomach).
2. Vitamin D2: It is alternatively known as Ergocalciferol. It helps treat hyperparathyroidism and bone and joint pain. The over-consumption of Vitamin D2 supplements increases the calcium levels in the body and may result in nausea, confusion, imbalanced heartbeats and seizures. 
3. Vitamin D3: This vitamin D subtype treats hypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia(Deficiency of phosphate in the blood), Chronic kidney disease, and osteoporosis.

Role of vitamin D and D3 in the Human Body.

Vitamin D and D3 tests ensure the optimum level in the blood as it is crucial for the health and bone growth that facilitates the normal functioning of the immune system. The doctors use both the tests to indicate osteoporosis and rickets disease. Also, vitamin D levels help monitor chronic illnesses like asthma, psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases. Also, vitamin D levels help monitor chronic illnesses like asthma, psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases.

Vitamin D test cost

You can refer to our Detailed Article on Vitamin D test cost here.

Usually, the 25-OH Vitamin D total test cost ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1500. The actual price would vary depending on the diagnostic centre and city.

Usually, Vitamin D total test is acceptable and cheaper compared to the vitamin D3 test. Thus, you can choose 25-OH Vitamin D total unless your doctor specifically asks for a vitamin D3 test.

Purpose of Vitamin D and D3 Tests

It would be best if you had the Vitamin D and D3 tests or cholecalciferol test for the following purposes:

• The test diagnoses the cause of abnormal calcium metabolism.
• For detecting problems in the parathyroid gland
• To analyse the deficiency of vitamin D and D3
• This test monitors the intestine condition in people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. In such patients, there is insufficient absorption of vitamin D. 
• To monitor the treatment in patients under medication of vitamin D, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.
• Doctors use the test to analyse fat absorption.  

Preparation

It is a blood test thus require blood sample collection.

• There is no fasting required before the test.
• The vein in the arms is punctured for a sample of blood. In children and infants, a prick on the finger is enough.

Call Us to get Up To 60% DISCOUNT

Procedure

It is a simple blood test that can be taken by your doctor or at a pathology lab. The steps of the procedure are as follows:

• The technician will rub the alcohol on the area of the skin and will take a syringe. 
• The blood veins would be needle pricked. 
• The technician would utilise a syringe for blood withdrawal. 
• Collect the blood sample into a test tube or vial. 
• You may feel a slight sting when the needle goes in or out.

Result Interpretation

The test result depends upon the gender, age, and method used. The table below gives the Vitamin D normal range.

Reference Range	Interpretation
0-40 ng/ml	Deficient
40-80 ng/ml	Sufficient
80-100 ng/ml	Higher than normal
>100 ng/ml	Undesirable
>150 ng/ml	Toxic

Sample Report

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D and D3 Deficiency

There are the following symptoms of Vitamin D and D3 Deficiency. 

1. Muscle weakness is a common condition in middle-aged women and malnourished children. The ability of muscles to do physical activity reduces. 
2. Pain in the body: The muscle weakness causes body pain in the patients. It is also more common in housewives and working-class females. 
3. Difficulty in climbing the stairs or standing after prolonged sitting. 
4. Feeling tired: It is a sign of exhaustion. The breathing rate increases due to tiredness. 
5. Hypertension: The blood pressure increase in the patient is a common sign in the Vitamin D deficient patients. 
6. Stress fractures: These are tiny cracks in the bones. It happens due to the overuse and the continuous motion of the limbs. 
7. Intestinal issue: The inability of the intestine to absorb the nutrients and delivers them to the blood.

If you experience the above signs and symptoms, we recommend getting you tested for vitamin D and D3.

Vitamin D3 Side Effects

Vitamin D3 side effects are a relatively uncommon occurrence. However, the most frequent vitamin D3 side effects are the following:

• Allergic reactions: The redness of skin, rashes and itching are common.
• Swelling of the face, tongue and throat.
• Breathing problems: This includes shallow and rapid breathing.
• Dizziness: It is also known as agitation. The feeling of head-spinning and imbalance of posture occurs in it.
• Irregular heart rhythm is a condition in which the heart beats irregularly.

What does low vitamin D level suggest?

A low level of vitamin D in the blood indicates the following

• Lack of balanced diet: The patient shall eat a balanced diet, and it should have vegetables, milk, curd, eggs and dairy products.
• Improper vitamin absorption through the intestine.
• No exposure to sunlight: People should consider the habit of taking some sunlight for 10 minutes minimum.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency Treatment

Treatment for vitamin D3 deficiency includes getting enough sun exposure, eating vitamin D3-rich foods in the diet, and taking vitamin D3 supplements.

Vitamin D3 Sources

Vitamin D3 is produced mainly by the body when exposed to sunshine. Still, these vitamins are present in foods rich with vitamin D and D3, such as in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod liver oil, fortified milk, eggs, bread, and cereals. Excluding fortified foods, mushrooms are the only vitamin D vegetable source, and the best source of vitamin D in fruits is orange or orange juice.

Supplements containing vitamin D3 or vitamin D3 tablets are also readily accessible on the market, and you should use them after consulting with a physician.

Frequently asked questions

References:

1. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/vitamin-d-test/
2. https://www.testing.com/tests/vitamin-d-tests/