Vitamin D Tests

Most people don't need to be tested for vitamin D deficiency. Most individuals receive enough vitamin D through supplements and their diets.

Most people don't need to be tested for vitamin D deficiency. Most individuals receive enough vitamin D through supplements and their diets.

Background Info

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin in how our bodies function. Beyond its use to prevent osteomalacia or rickets, the evidence for other health effects of vitamin D supplementation in the general population is inconsistent. The best evidence of benefit is for bone health. The overwhelming majority of people have enough vitamin D because of the foods they eat. Cereal, orange juice and other foods and drinks are fortified with Vitamin D.

Sources

Source URL
Harvard School of Public Healthhttp://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/
The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-d/background/hrb-20060400
Choosing Wisely | An Initiative of the ABIM Foundationhttp://www.choosingwisely.org/patient-resources/vitamin-d-tests/
National Institutes of Healthhttp://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Food and Drug Administrationhttp://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm118079.htm
U.S. Preventive Services Task Forcehttp://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/low-back-pain-what-happens
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokehttp://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/vitamin-d-deficiency-screening