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VITAMIN D

Definition

Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium effectively, which is important for bone health and muscle function, and for preventing conditions such as osteoporosis. The main source of Vitamin D is exposure to sunlight, although small amounts can be obtained through some foods, such as eggs, fatty fish and fortified margarine and milk.^1,2

The main consequence of severe Vitamin D deficiency is rickets in children and osteopenia (fragile bones) in older people.² There is some evidence to suggest that low Vitamin D levels could also be a risk factor for other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, but more research is needed to better understand these links. ^1,3

The vitamin D test measures the total amount of vitamin D obtained from both food and sunlight, circulating in the blood, at the time of the test.²

Population

Vitamin D results were obtained for persons aged 12 years and over, who agreed to participate in the National Health Measures Survey (NHMS) and provided a blood sample. Fasting was not required for this test.

Methodology

A blood sample was collected from participants and vitamin D levels were measured at the Douglass Hanly Moir (DHM) laboratory.

Ranged cut off points for adequate and deficient levels of vitamin D were reported in the NHMS. These cut offs are based on the current position statement on Vitamin D and health in adults in Australia and New Zealand, published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).¹ Note that in most of the ABS output, the Moderate and Severe vitamin D deficiency cut offs have been collapsed due to small numbers.

In the NHMS, the following definitions were used:

• Adequate levels: ≥50 nmol/L
• Mild deficiency: 30 – 49 nmol/L
• Moderate deficiency: 13* – 29 nmol/L
• Severe deficiency: <13* nmol/L
• Total deficiency: <50 nmol/L

• Vitamin D test results do not confirm a specific diagnosis without consultation with a health professional.
• Note that the 2012 MJA position statement on vitamin D states that levels may need to be 10 to 20 nmol/L higher at the end of summer, to allow for seasonal decrease.¹
• There are a number of different test methods to measure vitamin D levels and each test method may produce different results. Note that all NHMS blood samples, which produced vitamin D test results, were analysed by Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The data from this topic should therefore be used with caution when comparing vitamin D results from other studies using a different test method.