Vitamin D Testing Now Offered In-house

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.