Page Banner
Vitamin Levels
Vitamin Levels

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus and is essential
for proper growth and healthy teeth and bones throughout your life.

How is the test performed?

Blood sample
Order Now

FAQs

What is Vitamin D and why do I need it?

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorous to help maintain strong bones and teeth. In children, Vitamin D helps fuel the growth of healthy bones and teeth. As we age, it helps prevent osteoporosis (decreased bone mass) which leads to an increased risk of fractures. Often known as the “sunshine vitamin”, Vitamin D is produced by your body when the sun’s UV rays contact your skin. It doesn’t occur naturally in many foods, but can be found in fish, eggs and fortified dairy and cereal products, or by taking vitamin supplements. It is estimated that up to one-third of Canadians do not have the recommended levels of Vitamin D.

Your ability to produce Vitamin D is greatly impacted by:

  • Geograghy
  • The season/weather
  • Sunscreen usage
  • Skin pigment
  • Age

Your ability to absorb Vitamin D from your diet or supplements may be impacted by:

  • Malabsorption syndromes such as fat malabsorption or gastric bypass surgery

There are several factors which can increase your risk of Vitamin D deficiency:

  • Not consuming enough food types rich in Vitamin D. This is likely if you don’t each fish, follow a strict vegan diet, or are lactose-intolerant.
  • Not getting enough safe exposure to the sun. This can be caused by geography, the weather, sunscreen usage and even skin pigment. Adults and the elderly are at a higher risk as they tend spend less time in the sun.
  • You have kidney issues which prevent Vitamin D from being converted to its active form in your body. This happens mostly within older age groups.
  • Certain medical problems which can effect your ability to absorb Vitamin D such as Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and celiac disease. Certain people with obesity can also have Vitamin D deficiency, since Vitamin D is extracted from the blood by fat cells, altering its release into the circulation.

Additional information can be found in our 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D test brochure
here here here.

What is the 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test?

The 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test is a blood test to help you measure your Vitamin D levels. Also known as 25-OH Vitamin D, calcidiol, or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. The test can determine if your Vitamin D levels are too high or too low.

Additional information can be found in our 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D test brochure  here here here.

Who should get tested?

Vitamin D testing may be beneficial for individuals with risk factors for deficiency.

When is this test ordered?

Your doctor or healthcare provider will order this test if they suspect that you’re showing signs of Vitamin D deficiency. If you are curious about your Vitamin D levels but do not show signs of deficiency, you can order a 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test from the LifeLabs Online Store. Ask your healthcare provider for advice about your Vitamin D levels.

You can order the test here. 

How can I get tested?

Testing is completed by LifeLabs at a Patient Service Centre or via our mobile lab service (available in Ontario) through a simple blood sample. If Vitamin D testing is requested by a healthcare provider, you will require a completed test request form. If you choose to purchase Vitamin D testing, you will need to obtain a completed test request form from the LifeLabs Online Store.

You can order the test here. 

Understanding your results

Test results will be provided directly to you through MyCareCompass® and to the ordering provider or a third-party healthcare provider. The report will indicate:

  • Vitamin D levels in the form of nanomoles/liter (nmol/L)
  • Whether levels are sufficient (normal), severe deficient, deficient, high, or toxic (too high)

Your medical history, age, gender and other factors influence the outcome of the tests. If the test was ordered by your healthcare provider, they will help explain the results and determine whether further testing or treatment is required. If you have purchased 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D testing, you may be contacted by a third-party healthcare provider in the circumstance of abnormal results. You can always consult your own doctor regarding your 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D results.

Sources

FAQs

Overview

The 25-hydroxy Vitamin D test is a simple blood test and the best way to monitor Vitamin D levels. The test is also known as 25-OH Vitamin D, calcidiol, or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. This test should be ordered if there are clinical indications of Vitamin D deficiencies including if the patients has conditions commonly associated with Vitamin D deficiencies.

How to Order

Order form here here here

Samples for 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D testing may be taken at any of our Patient Service Centres. Patients must have the requisition form above completed by a physician or healthcare provider.

Receiving results

Results will be available to you typically within 1-2 business days.

Results will be available to you within two weeks.

Request more information

We have a wealth of medical experts available to support you in interpreting test results.
Consults with our experts are available upon request. Request medical consultation.

    Request more information

    Schedule a test

    A 25-Hydroxy test may be scheduled directly by the patient at any of our Patient Service Centres offering this service. They must have a requisition form completed by a physician or healthcare provider.

    Find a Location   Schedule an Appointment

    Sources

    People who looked at the 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Test were also interested in:

    Featured
    Services
    Assessing risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD)

    Klinrisk

    Klinrisk is an AI algorithm based on results from routine blood and urine tests. It generates a score for patients with CKD, to predict the progression of disease before kidney function is lost. The model is built on a foundation of lab data from large nationa...
    Learn More
    Testosterone Test

    Bioavailable Testosterone Testing

    Measures total available testosterone to be used by the body.
    Learn More
    Assess your risk of developing liver fibrosis

    Liver Fibrosis Testing

    Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF™) Score are used to screen for liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Screening is essential for treating patients with fatty liver disease and associated risks, like ob...
    Learn More
    Sexually Transmitted Infection of the Genital and Urinary Tract

    Mycoplasma Genitalium Testing

    Canadian studies estimate the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection at 3-8%. 
    Learn More
    Your trusted healthcare partner for supporting Immigration Medical Exams.

    Immigration Diagnostic Test Panel

    LifeLabs® is the largest medical diagnostic laboratory in Canada, that works with government-regulated immigration panel physicians to offer immigration medical exams in an efficient, timely, and customer-focused manner. The Immigration Medical Exa...
    Learn More

    Testing Options for Long
    COVID Assessment

    The use of various diagnostic tests for Long COVID should be considered for patients with ongoing symptoms associated with Long COVID to assess for conditions that may respond to treatment, once basic testing such as complete blood count, basic metabolic profi...
    Learn More
    COVID-19 Antibody Testing

    COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test Panel

    IMPORTANT: This test is no longer available for purchase.  For customers that already have a requisition, samples will continue to be collected at our Patient Service Centers until Sept 30, 2023.

    Learn More
    Diagnosing Allergies

    Serum Allergy Testing

    The serum allergy test is one type of allergy test that can be used to assist in the diagnosis and management of allergies. Through a simple blood test, analyzed in a laboratory, your doctor can uncover the amount of allergen-specific antibodies, called Immuno...
    Learn More
    Diagnosing H. pylori Infection

    H. pylori Infection.

    The Urea Breath Test (UBT) and the H. pylori Stool Antigen test are common tests used to accurately diagnose whether you have an H. pylori infection. Detecting H. pylori is essential in identifying the cause of your symptoms and/or ulcers in the absence of mor...
    Learn More
    COVID-19 Antibody Testing

    COVID-19 Antibody Blood Test

    Find out if you’ve had COVID-19 through an Antibody test.
    This blood test detects prior infection, even if you never experienced symptoms.
    Learn More
    Reaching a definitive diagnosis of hypertension

    24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

    Learn More
    Take the guesswork out of your diet

    IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

    Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation and contribute to symptoms of a variety of diseases. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity test can help identify potential food sensitivities and t...
    Learn More
    Colorectal Cancer Screening

    Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

    FIT is a safe and painless at-home cancer screening test. FIT checks someone’s stool (poop) for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by colon cancer and some pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer over time). W...
    Learn More
    Colorectal Cancer Screening

    Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

    FIT is a safe and painless stool-based test used for screening people at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. FIT checks for the presence of occult blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer and/or pre-cancerous lesions. When ...
    Learn More
    (Omega-3)

    Omega-3 Fatty Acid

    The Omega-3 Fatty Acid test quantifies the fatty acids present in a sample of a patient’s whole blood. Specific levels of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood hav...
    Learn More
    Helping Naturopathic Doctors Gain a Better View of the Health Status of their Patients

    Patient Assessment Panels

    Patient Assessment Panels enable you to provide your Naturopathic Doctor with a complete picture of your health. Now you can access the blood work required to make informed decisions on how to be your healthiest you!
    1. Convenient
    2. Comprehensive <...
    Learn More
    Fecal Calprotectin Testing

    Differentiating Between
    IBS and IBD

    Canada has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the world. With symptoms of these two conditions appearing similar, Fecal Calprotectin testing can provide an accurate diagnosis in many ...
    Learn More
    QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus)

    QUANTIFERON-TB GOLD Plus (FOR TB SCREENING)

    QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a simple blood test that aids in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes tuberculosis (TB). Like its predecessor, QFT-Plus is an interferon gamma release assay, commonly known as an IGRA, ...
    Learn More
    Know Your Risk for Heart Attacks

    SmartVascular Dx™

    The second leading cause of death among Canadians, heart attacks are often a silent killer with no signs or symptoms before they strike. Often resulting from coronary heart disease, heart attacks can be predicted and even prevented if you know and manage your ...
    Learn More
    Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

    Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

    One in seven men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. The third leading cause of cancer death, when prostate cancer is detected early, the more likely it can be successfully treated.
    Learn More
    Determine your risk of bone fractures

    Osteoporosis

    Known as the “silent thief”, osteoporosis is responsible for the loss of bone mass without obvious symptoms until a bone is broken. By knowing your risk through a Serum CTX Test, you can prevent, delay or reduce bone loss.
    Learn More
    Early Detection of Cervical Cancer

    HPV Testing

    About 75% of sexually active women will get a least one HPV infection in their lifetime. With HPV the primary cause of cervical cancer, the HPV test detects the presence of high-risk HPV strain(s).
    Learn More
    Diagnosing Celiac Disease

    Celiac Disease

    Celiac disease can arise at any age creating damage to your intestines and starving your body of critical nutrients. With a range of symptoms commonly associated with other conditions, knowing if you are celiac, or simply have a gluten allergy or intolerance, ...
    Learn More
    Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Anti-CCP

    The daily pain, stiffness and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis can go undiagnosed for months causing permanent damage to your body. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis at its earliest stages can prevent damage and improve long-term quality of life.
    Learn More
    Fertility Test

    Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)

    With one in six couples across Canada experiencing difficulty in becoming pregnant, AMH levels can provide valuable insight into predicting a response for IVF treatment.
    Learn More

    General Diagnostic Tests

    View all tests

    Genetic Tests

    Learn More

    Naturopathic Tests

    Learn More