Vitamin D Testing Now Offered In-house
Gamma Healthcare is pleased to announce the addition of total
Vitamin D testing to its in-house test menu.
In 2009 the Archives of Internal Medicine reported that
77% of adults in the United States suffered from Vitamin D
insufficiency resulting from limited exposure to the sun and diets
deficient in Vitamin D. Studies indicate a correlation
between deficient Vitamin D levels and health conditions.
These factors have produced a dramatic increase in requests for
Vitamin D testing. To meet this demand and improve service to
both our client and our patients, on November 7, 2011, Gamma
Healthcare began offering total Vitamin D testing in-house.
This service will decrease turn-around-time from 72 hours to less
than 24 hours in most cases.
Two types of Vitamin D have been identified: Vitamin
D2 (ergocalciferol) from plants and Vitamin
D3 (cholecalciferol) from sunlight and fatty fish such
as herring and mackerel. Measurement of total Vitamin D
(D2 and D3) is necessary for aiding correct
interpretations of a patient's status. Not all Vitamin D
assays available on the market measure total Vitamin D. Gamma
Healthcare employs the ADVIA Centaur XP Vitamin D Total Assay by
Siemens, which does measure total Vitamin D aiding correct patient
assessment.
The emerging evidence associating Vitamin D deficiency with
serious health conditions is making it critical that the general
public know how to maintain and monitor adequate Vitamin D
levels. Gamma Healthcare in conjunction with Siemens
Healthcare Diagnostics - both leaders in clinical diagnostics - are
playing a role in helping people achieve good health by employing
performance-driven solutions, which assist in diagnosing, treating
and monitoring disease. Following these four tips will help
in maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin D:
- Know your number
- Get some sun
- Eat more Vitamin D-rich foods
- Consider supplements
Contact the Gamma Healthcare Customer Service Center for further
information regarding test method, specimen requirements or
turn-around-times.