Vit D Testing

[Ivona]

Ok all you bio-science junkies....I need some help in understanding VitD test results. I called my doc on a few issues, and asked about my VitD test results. All I got was a number..ie: 153 and was told it was 'fine'. I tried googling but only got more confused about the different testing and scales they use.

Can anyone enlighten me on what the normal range is?

Thanks!

[weisssoccermom]

Ivona,

This is PURELY a guess. The other night, when talking on the phone with Eve (Vancouver Eve), I mentioned my cholesterol level and she said that in Canada, they measure it differently. SO......with that in mind and the possibility that the same may be occuring with the Vitamin D test, this is what it MAY be.

Here in the USA, vitamin D levels are measured in ng/mL (conventional units). If however, Canada uses SI or international system of units, then this may be the difference. My guess is with this type of number, the units are nmol/L (nanomoles per liter). If this is the case (and since Canada appears to across the board support this system ie Celcius temperature, cholesterol levels of nmol/L, etc) and I think it probably is (but again, just a hunch), then converting your level to what you keep reading here, that would be a USA level of around 60 (give or take since when converting you have to go through more steps than just that). Geez - this brings back some heavy duty physics/chemistry days!

(153/ ~2.5) = 61.2

Anyway, check out the units used. That's my guess. Hope this helps
Jaynee

[weisssoccermom]

I guess in all my 'fun' I forgot to add that when you read on the board that we have levels in the 30's, 40's, etc. the 'normal' in conventional units is between 20 - 100 (ng/mL). That being said, most doctors are not at all happy with levels in the 20's - not by a long shot and most oncs don't even like levels in the 30's. Mine is pretty darn insistent about a MINIMUM level of 45 with a preferred level in the 50's or higher. So........again, if my assumptions in the above post are correct about the units used in Canada (check it out) then converting to the Conventional units (USA system), a level of around 60 truly would be just fine.

Hope I explained that better.

Jaynee

[Ivona]

That does make sense...thanks a bunch soccermom. Guess that's one less thing I need to worry about. I'm still doing the daily supplement tho. VitD is about the ONLY supp that I don't have trouble tolerating.

[Guest]

Jaynee, thanks for the information.

Ivona, you might find this interesting. It seems there are lots of Vitamin D deficient
Canadians:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidie ... 2a-eng.htm

Cheers.

[Ivona]

Jaynee, thanks for the information.

Ivona, you might find this interesting. It seems there are lots of Vitamin D deficient
Canadians:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidie ... 2a-eng.htm

Cheers.

Well that's not surprising given our climate....sigh...

[northwood]

Hi: When I visited my oncologist, the only supplement that he told me to take was vitamin D. I guess they are finding it more and more important.

[jenhopesprays]

Here is a website dedicated to helping folks get it correct:

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/

[Terry]

Wisconsin also has a lot of people that are vit D deficient. My youngest who is 18 went to the doctor because this hurts, that hurts, etc. and they tested her vit D and of course it was low. I told her months ago to take a supplement and even gave her a bottle. Hopefully she's taking it now.

Just and FYI for those of you that don't know. You should be taking D3 and not just plain Vit D. Vit D is better than nothing but D3 is better.

[dianetavegia]

Make sure you're getting Vit. D3, for all those who said onc told them to take Vit. D. Two very different things and some vitamins, such as One A Day, have the wrong type for colon cancer, etc.

[Ivona]

Here is a website dedicated to helping folks get it correct:

http://www.grassrootshealth.net/

What a great website Jen! I've become a fan on their Facebook page. Thanks for sharing!

[Smethport]

Do you need a script for D3? Thanks for the info, I am new to this unfortunately. Trying to learn as much as I can, you guys are great and so supportive to each other.

[wendy201003]

Does brand make a difference? I am a member of LEF, and found they have one Vatimin D3 product. Is there a brand doctors usually recommend?

Thanks so much!!!
Wendy

[Ivona]

Do you need a script for D3? Thanks for the info, I am new to this unfortunately. Trying to learn as much as I can, you guys are great and so supportive to each other.

I dunno where you live, but I get 1000 IU pills of VitD3 OTC from any pharmacy. And it's probably one of the cheapest viatmins out there!

[kimby]

I get my vit D checked twice a year because I malabsorb fat. That means I have trouble with vitamins A, D, E and K as they are fat soluable. I supplement these with water soluable products. Anyway, I just got my most recent lab results and my vitamin D is a good solid 55! WooHoo! I'll take that any day of the week. All of my vitamin levels are within the normal ranges. They were all dangerously low in October. Guess I finally have something good going here.

Kimby