A vitamin D test is used to check the levels of vitamin D in your blood. The test is usually done if your health care provider thinks that a bone or other health condition you have could be caused by very low vitamin D levels. Routine vitamin D testing is not recommended for everyone. Your provider can let you know whether a vitamin D test is right for you.

Your provider may order a vitamin D test if you:

• Have been diagnosed with a medical condition that may be related to vitamin D deficiency, such as:
  • Osteomalacia, soft bones, often with muscle weakness
  • Low bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis
  • Rickets, a problem with bone growth in children
• Have signs or symptoms of a condition that may be related to vitamin D deficiency such as:
  • Bone pain
  • Muscle weakness or aches
  • Soft or deformed bones
  • Weak bones and fractures (broken bones)
• Have a high risk for developing vitamin D deficiency. Your risk may be high if you:
  • Rarely expose your skin to sunlight because you stay indoors, cover up outside, use sunscreen, or live where there is little sunlight
  • Don't eat enough food or have malnutrition
  • Have had weight loss surgery
  • Have a condition that makes it difficult to absorb nutrients in food, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease
  • Have kidney or liver disease that affects your ability to change vitamin D into a form your body can use
  • Take medicines that affect vitamin D levels, including certain statins to lower cholesterol, steroids, and weight-loss medicines