In the past ten years, the number of analyzes performed for the determination of vitamin D in the “Central Laboratory” has increased tenfold, confirming the increase in the awareness of doctors and the public about the need for regular examinations, assessed Jeļena Storoženko, a member of the board of the laboratory, associate professor of Riga Stradins University.
In the first two months of this year, the “Central Laboratory” performed more than 50,000 examinations of vitamin D in the blood, while last year 240,000 examinations were performed. The results of the analyzes show that only 11% of the population of Latvia has an optimal level of vitamin D in their bodies.
In general, 410,427 tests were evaluated from 2014 to 2019, and the data review concluded that 10% of the Latvian population has a critically low amount of vitamin D, its deficiency has been found in 34%, and it is not in sufficient quantity – 45% of those tested. Only 11% of the population has an optimal level of vitamin D in the body.
Storozhenko pointed out that in spring it is especially important to pay attention to your well-being – frequent illnesses, weakness, fatigue and sleep disorders can indicate a lack of vitamin D in the body. However, it is not possible to determine vitamin D deficiency only by these symptoms. It is necessary to carry out regular analyzes and follow up on the results of the investigation. They help the doctor evaluate the level of vitamin D over a certain period of time – what is the progress after taking an additional course of vitamin D, whether and for how long should vitamin D be taken.
The professor explained that there are five types of this vitamin, but the most important are two – D2, which is found in tissues, and D3, which is synthesized in the human body. We can take part of vitamin D with food, part – with the sun, and then its synthesis in the body takes place through complex metabolic processes.
Vitamin D provides multiple functions, but its deficiency can cause acute and aggravate chronic diseases. Vitamin D plays an important role in the growth of teeth, bones, tissues, regulation of the immune system, healthy pregnancy, rheumatology, oncology, control of autoimmune diseases. However, before starting to take additional vitamin D, tests should be done, which can be done both with and without a doctor’s referral. Depending on the result, the doctor (or pharmacist) will help determine the necessary dose of vitamin D, the doctor will recommend a course of its use, prescribe the necessary medication or nutritional supplement, explained Storozhenko.
If an analysis of vitamin D has been performed, when looking at the results, the criteria for evaluating its concentration or level, which are different, should be taken into account, the professional said. For example, if the vitamin D level is below 10, or less than 10 nanograms per milliliter, it is critically low and a doctor’s consultation is definitely needed to start taking vitamin D supplements. On the other hand, if the level of vitamin D is in the interval 10-20 – it can be considered as an average deficiency, 20-30 – the level is insufficient, more than 30 – sufficient, while the optimal level is 45-55 nanograms per milliliter.
“We should try to have our vitamin D level at least in the interval mentioned as sufficient, but it is better that the amount of vitamin D in the body is optimal, because research data confirms that it correlates with human well-being,” said Storozhenko.