Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for good health. It helps absorb calcium and magnesium which are critical for bone health. Blood tests for vitamin D gauge the amount in your bloodstream. The normal range for vitamin D varies depending on your age and sex. In this article, we will discuss the normal range for vitamin D.
Table of Contents
Vitamin D levels: What is Normal?
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), healthy people should have vitamin D levels between 20 and 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). It is important to remember, though, that the ideal vitamin D levels rely on various health-related conditions and might differ from person to person.
How Much Vitamin D Does Your Body Need?
The recommended vitamin D intake depends on various conditions. Your healthcare practitioner could recommend greater or lower dosages than those indicated; thus, you should consider asking for their advice.
Note that “IU/day” relates to “International Units per day” since the quantity of vitamin D in meals and supplements is calculated this way.
The requirements for Vitamin D for different age groups are:
Infants (0-6 months)
- 400 IU/day for enough intake
- Higher intake level of 1,000 IU/day
Babies (6-12 months)
- 400 IU/day for enough intake
- Higher intake level of 1,500 IU/day
Kids (1-3 years)
- Dietary allowance advised- 600 IU/day
- Higher intake level of 2,500 IU/day
Kids4-8 years old
- Dietary allowance advised- of 600 IU/day
- Higher intake level of 3,000 IU/day
People 9-70 years old
- Dietary allowance advised- 600 IU/day
- Higher intake level of 4,000 IU/day
Old age people over 70 years old
- Dietary allowance advised- 800 IU/day
- Higher intake level of 4,000 IU/day
Pregnant or lactating women who are 14-50 years old
- Dietary allowance advised- 600 IU/day
- Higher intake level of 4,000 IU/day
Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
There are a few key signs that may indicate you have a vitamin D deficiency, which include:
- You feel tired all the time
- You get sick often
- You have weak bones
- Your muscles ache
- You have trouble thinking clearly
Vitamin D levels can be checked with a simple blood test; many people are deficient and don’t even know it.
How do Doctors do Vitamin D Blood Tests?
Doctors can measure Vitamin D levels in the blood. They usually take a blood sample from a vein in your arm and send it to a laboratory for analysis. The vitamin D blood test measures the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood. It is the form of vitamin D that your body makes from sunlight. Vitamin D levels are typically checked to see if someone has a deficiency or an excess.
The Bottom Line
Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient measured with a blood test. The normal range for vitamin D is 20 to 50 ng/mL. Vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL are considered deficient, and levels above 100 ng/mL are considered toxic. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis, and vitamin D toxicity can cause kidney problems.