Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12
Understanding Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12
What is Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12?
The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test helps measure the level of vitamin D and B12 in the blood. It can help determine vitamin D and B12 deficiencies or if you have too much vitamin D in your body (most likely from excessive supplements). Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy, whereas vitamin B12 maintains blood, brain, and nerve functions.
Vitamins, although required in small amounts, are significant in maintaining overall health and well-being. Vitamin D plays a vital role in many bodily functions, including:
- Immune system regulation
- Bone health maintenance
- Cell growth
Vitamin D acts as a hormone because it's synthesized in the skin (via sunlight) and converted to its active form (calcitriol) in the kidneys, regulating calcium and phosphorus. Low vitamin D levels can lead to an increased risk of fractures, muscle weakness and lethargy, dysfunction of the immune system, and an increased risk of diabetes.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, belongs to the B complex group of vitamins. It is vital for various body functions such as:
- Production of red blood cells (RBCs)
- Cell and tissue repair
- Optimal brain and nerve health
Some common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include fatigue, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite, burning sensation in feet, hands, arms, and legs, muscle weakness, etc.
The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test also helps determine the response to vitamin B12 therapy in conditions like anemia. Additionally, this test is an important monitoring parameter to maintain a healthy pregnancy, as low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like anemia, low birth weight, and growth retardation of the baby.
The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test can help determine vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies or if you have too much vitamin D in your body (most likely from excessive supplements).
Usually, no special preparation is required for this test. Eat and drink as per the daily routine. However, do let the doctor know about all the medications being taken, as some of them may affect the accuracy of the test results.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to the doctor about specific test results. The results will help them determine the medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, prescribe medication, if required, to manage the condition, and formulate an overall treatment plan.
Lifestyle Tips to Support Healthy Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Levels:
🥤 Hydration: Drink enough water daily, as hydration supports proper digestion and vitamin absorption.
🌞 Exposure to sun: Get regular morning sunlight for natural vitamin D synthesis. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol, as these can interfere with both vitamin D metabolism and vitamin B12 absorption.
🏃 Activity (Exercise): Stay active! Regular physical activity, especially outdoors, supports vitamin D production and may enhance B12 metabolism.
🍔 Lifestyle (Balanced Diet): Include vitamin D-rich foods (like eggs, mushrooms, salmon, fortified milk) and vitamin B12-rich foods (like meat, fish, dairy, or fortified cereals for vegetarians/vegans).
👩⚕️ Talk to Your Doctor (Consultation): Avoid self-supplementation. Consult your doctor for proper guidance on vitamin D or B12 levels and safe supplementation if needed.
🚭 Habits (Smoking and Alcohol): Avoid smoking and limit alcohol, as both can interfere with the absorption and activation of vitamins B12 and D.
What is Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 used for?
The Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test can be done:
A. In Symptomatic Individuals
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Numbness or tingling
- Bone or joint pain
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Vision problems
- Susceptibility to frequent infections
B. In health-specific conditions
- Osteoporosis
- osteomyelitis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease)
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
- History of gastrectomy or other gastrointestinal surgery
- Anemia (especially megaloblastic anemia)
C. In Special Populations
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Elderly individuals
- Infants who are exclusively breastfed
- Infants with ambiguous genitalia or intersex condition
D. In Individuals With Lifestyle-Related Risks
- Limited sun exposure (risk for Vitamin D deficiency)
- Strict vegan or vegetarian diet (risk for Vitamin B12 deficiency)
- Obesity
- Chronic alcohol consumption
What does Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 measure?
Contains 2 testsThe Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test is tailored to analyze the levels of two important vitamins in your body: vitamin D (25-OH) and vitamin B12. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that can be synthesized in the body upon healthy exposure to sunlight or absorbed from dietary sources. Vitamin B12 is necessary for various health aspects, such as maintaining a healthy nervous system, making red blood cells, and creating the genetic material of our cells.
This test is generally recommended during routine health checkups, nutritional assessments, or when monitoring vitamin levels in individuals with dietary restrictions or those taking supplements.
Vitamin B12
The Vitamin B12 test measures your vitamin B12 levels. This vitamin 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 like Crohn’s disease that impact the absorption of this vitamin. High vitamin B12 levels are seen in conditions like liver diseases and myeloproliferative disorders. Also, high levels of vitamin B12 are seen in individuals on vitamin supplementation, but this usually does not require treatment as the excess vitamin is flushed out through urine.
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 are considered the best parameter to assess the vitamin D status of the body. This test 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)
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12
Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12
Q. What is the right time to get the Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test done?
Q. Are there any risks associated with the Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) & Vitamin B12 test?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of low vitamin D levels?
Q. What can cause vitamin D deficiency?
Q. What happens if my vitamin D is low?
Q. How can I raise my vitamin D levels naturally?
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What is the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Q. What happens if my vitamin B12 level is low?
Q. How can I raise my vitamin B12 levels naturally?
Q. How much sun exposure is sufficient to get an adequate amount of vitamin D?
Q. How much vitamin D is needed daily?
Q. Can vitamin B12 deficiency cause depression?
Q. What is the role of vitamin B12 in pregnancy?
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References
- Vitamin D [Internet]. NIH; 12 Aug. 2022 [Accessed 11 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
- Aparna P, Muthathal S, Nongkynrih B, et al. Vitamin D deficiency in India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2018 Mar-Apr;7(2):324-330. [Accessed 11 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6060930/
- Vitamin D [Internet]. Boston, USA: Harvard T.H. Chan; Mar. 2023 [Accessed 11 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/
- Vitamin B12 [Prescribing Information]. FDA; Jan. 2021 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/080737Orig1s040lbl.pdf
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anemia [Internet]. NHS; 20 Feb. 2023 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
- Duggan C, Srinivasan K, Thomas T, et al. Vitamin B-12 supplementation during pregnancy and early lactation increases maternal, breast milk, and infant measures of vitamin B-12 status. J Nutr. 2014 May;144(5):758-64. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3985831/#:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20in%20resource%2Dpoor,weight%2C%20and%20intrauterine%20growth%20retardation.
- Gemici AI, Sevindik ÖG, Akar S, et al. Vitamin B12 levels in familial Mediterranean fever patients treated with colchicine. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2013 May-Jun;31(3 Suppl 77):57-9. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24064015/
- Rodriguez V, Gonzales KM, Iqbal AM, et al. PANCYTOPENIA SECONDARY TO AUTOIMMUNE VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY IN GRAVES DISEASE. AACE Clin Case Rep. 2020 Jun 23;6(6):e282-e285. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7685417/#:~:text=To%20describe%20a%20case%20of,to%20severe%20anemia%20and%20pancytopenia.
- Sahu P, Thippeswamy H, Chaturvedi SK. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitam Horm. 2022;119:457-470. [Accessed 16 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35337631/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B12%20deficiency%20can%20have,screening%20of%20at%2Drisk%20populations.
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