Vitamin Profile
Understanding Vitamin Profile
What is Vitamin Profile?
A Vitamin Profile is a group of tests that detects the levels of vitamins B9, B12, and D in the body and assess overall health. It aids in detecting health conditions like persistent weakness, anemia, osteoporosis, etc., and identifying the deficiency that might be causing them.
Vitamins B9, B12, and D perform vital functions in the body, so determining their levels can provide important health information. Vitamin B9 is important for the formation of genetic material (DNA) and the maturation of red blood cells (RBCs). Vitamin B12 helps in the development of the nervous system and aids in the formation of RBCs and DNA. Vitamin D helps to maintain strong bones and teeth.
Your doctor may advise a Vitamin Profile if you experience symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, joint or muscle pain, sudden weight changes, hair loss, frequent infections, and lower back pain. People who have been diagnosed with certain medical conditions like bone disorders, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure are also advised to get their vitamin levels checked regularly, as they are more prone to have nutritional deficiencies. Overnight fasting is preferred for this test. However, talk to your doctor about any other precautions before taking the test.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. The results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition, and formulate your overall treatment plan.
What is Vitamin Profile used for?
A Vitamin Profile is done:
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To check the levels of vitamins B9, B12, and D.
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If you have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
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If you have symptoms of anemia, such as weakness, tiredness, pale skin, or folic acid deficiency.
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If you have symptoms or signs of nerve problems, like numbness, burning, or tingling sensation in hands, feet, or arms.
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If you have symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, such as bone malformation in children (rickets), bone weakness (osteoporosis), or fractures in adults (osteomalacia).
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When you are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to factors like old age, limited sun exposure, obesity, or if you have undergone gastric bypass surgery.
What does Vitamin Profile measure?
Contains 3 testsA Vitamin Profile covers testing of three vitamins, including vitamins B9, B12, and D. These vitamins are required by your body to reduce health risks, build immunity, and maintain your overall health. Deranged levels of these vitamins can give rise to lethargy, irritation, muscle spasm, fatigue, anemia, psychological disorders, or toxicity if not given timely attention.
Vitamin B 9 test
Vitamin B12
A 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 are uncommon 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)
A 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 liver converts vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D). A Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy) test measures the level of this 25-OH vitamin D as it is the primary 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:
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Kidney failure
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Diabetes
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Liver disease
Low levels of Vitamin B12 may be seen in:
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Anemia
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Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid)
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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 |
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There can be seasonal variation 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.
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Vitamin D (25-OH) levels can vary with age.
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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 |
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Certain medicines like methotrexate and leucovorin can cause changes in levels of Vitamin B9.
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Methylmalonic acid in urine and serum homocysteine test is suggested to differentiate between deficiencies of Vitamin B9 and Vitamin B12.
*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 can affect my Vitamin Profile results?
Q. Is there any risk associated with a Vitamin Profile?
Q. Can I take a Vitamin Profile during pregnancy?
Q. What is the benefit of getting a Vitamin Profile done?
Q. How is a Vitamin Profile performed?
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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