Got a doctor's slip? Walk in from 7:00 am, or call 8872524007 to arrange collection at home.
What the Vitamin D test checks
The report shows one number: total 25(OH) vitamin D, usually in ng/mL. A few labs print nmol/L instead, and you can convert by multiplying ng/mL by 2.5. This form stays in the blood for roughly two to three weeks, so it reflects your recent stores rather than what you ate yesterday.
It isn't the same as 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, the active hormone. That is a separate, far less common test, used mostly for kidney and calcium disorders.
Why your doctor may order it
Low vitamin D is common in Punjab even with all the sunshine. Many people work indoors, keep skin covered, and few foods here are fortified. Doctors usually ask for this test when someone has:
- aching bones, back or legs, or muscle weakness on climbing stairs
- low calcium or raised alkaline phosphatase on another report
- osteoporosis, a fracture after a small fall, or long-term steroid treatment
- poor absorption from coeliac disease or past bowel surgery
- kidney or liver disease
- been on high-dose supplements, to see whether the level has come up
It is also part of our Full Body Checkup.
How to prepare
There's no fasting, and any time we're open is fine. Some practical points help the result make sense:
- Weekly 60,000 IU sachets and daily capsules are common. Note the date of your last dose and tell us; carry on taking them as prescribed unless your doctor says otherwise.
- For a follow-up level, doctors usually wait around three months after starting supplements, because it takes that long to settle.
- High-dose biotin (often sold for hair and nails) can upset some immunoassays. Mention it if you take one.
Sample type and report time
- Sample: blood in a serum tube (red or yellow cap)
- Fasting: not needed
- Report: same day or next day, as a printed copy at the lab and a PDF on WhatsApp
Calcium can usually run from the same tube, so check whether your doctor also wants a calcium test. Unsure about anything on the slip? Ring 8872524007 before you come.
Understanding your results
Many reports follow the US Endocrine Society cut-offs: below 20 ng/mL is called deficient, 21 to 29 ng/mL insufficient and 30 to 100 ng/mL sufficient. The US Institute of Medicine treats 20 ng/mL as enough for most people, which is why wording differs between reports. The range printed on your report is the one that applies, since ranges vary by lab and method.
A low level can be associated with little time in the sun, darker skin, obesity, malabsorption, kidney or liver disease and certain anti-epileptic medicines. Very high values, usually above 100 to 150 ng/mL, nearly always come from taking too much supplement and can push calcium up. Your doctor reads the result alongside your symptoms and other tests.
FAQ
Do I need to fast for a vitamin D test?
No. Breakfast or a cup of tea doesn't change the 25(OH)D level, so come whenever suits you.
What is the vitamin D test price at Alpha Laboratory?
It depends on the method and on whether the test sits inside a package, so we don't publish a fixed figure. Call or WhatsApp for the current price and today's package options.
I'm looking for a vitamin D test near me in Banur. Can you collect at home?
Yes. We visit homes in Banur and nearby villages daily, and Rajpura, Zirakpur and the Mohali side by appointment. Book through home sample collection.
How long after starting supplements should I repeat it?
Most doctors recheck after 8 to 12 weeks. An earlier test often catches the level while it is still rising.
Is the 25-OH test the same as a vitamin D3 test?
Close, but not identical. D3 is the form skin makes and most supplements contain; the 25(OH)D test counts what the body makes from both D2 and D3.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
Alpha Laboratory has worked from Municipal Committee, M.C. Road, Banur since 2014. To book a vitamin D test, call 8872524007 or WhatsApp us a photo of the prescription. Opening hours and the map are on our contact page.