5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

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If you have had your vitamin D levels tested, it’s important to understand what the results
mean, and what action you might need to take. The blood test that measures vitamin D is
called a 25(OH)D blood test. The results of the blood test can tell you whether you’re getting
too little, too much or the right amount of vitamin D. This will help you to decide whether to
take more or less supplement, or expose your skin to the sun more.

When you get your test results you will see a number in units of ng/ml, for example, 50
ng/ml. These are the units that health professionals in the United States use. Elsewhere in
the world, vitamin D blood test results are given in units of nmol/l.

To convert a test result measured in ng/ml to one measured in nmol/l, multiply the
ng/ml number by 2.5. For example, 20 ng/ml is the same as 50 nmol/l (20 x 2.5).
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To convert a test result measured in nmol/l to one measured in ng/ml, divide the nmol/l
number by 2.5. For example, 50 nmol/l is the same as 20 ng/ml (50÷2.5).
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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

Here is a quick summary of what different levels mean and what the levels may mean for
your health and what to do below.

Note that everybody is different and not everybody achieves the same levels after
supplementing with the same amounts. The tables below show on average how much a
supplement regimen might raise your blood levels, but you can think of the amounts listed
as more of a prediction than a guarantee. This is why you may consider checking your
levels twice per year or more, to see if you need to increase or decrease your dosage.

My level is between 0-10 ng/ml

You’re severely de cient in vitamin D by every standard out there, including the Institute of
Medicine, the Endocrine Society and the Vitamin D Council.

With a vitamin D level in this range, your health is at risk. You may have low blood calcium
levels which can lead to softening of your bones. With very low vitamin D levels you may
also have less strength in your muscles and have di cultly moving.

If you want to raise your blood levels starting from 10 ng/ml, you can take the following
action (based on an average body weight of 150lbs):

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

20 ng/ml 1000 IU

30 ng/ml 2200 IU

40 ng/ml 3600 IU

50 ng/ml 5300 IU

60 ng/ml 7400 IU

70 ng/ml 10100 IU

My level is between 10-20 ng/ml Scroll

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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

By Endocrine Society and Vitamin D Council standards, you’re still de cient in vitamin D.
According to the Institute of Medicine, you’re mildly de cient, or insu cient, in vitamin D. If
you’re African American or Hispanic American you’re likely to be in this range.

With vitamin D levels in this range you’re more likely to develop osteoporosis and your
bones may be affected because your body isn’t absorbing enough calcium. This means
you’re more likely to fracture or break bones and more likely to have a fall. You may also
have high levels of parathyroid hormone in your body. Parathyroid hormone controls the
levels of calcium and phosphorus in your body and too much can affect your bones.

If you want to raise your blood levels starting from 15 ng/ml, you can take the following
action (based on an average body weight of 150lbs):

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

20 ng/ml 500 IU

30 ng/ml 1700 IU

40 ng/ml 3200 IU

50 ng/ml 4900 IU

60 ng/ml 7000 IU

70 ng/ml 9700 IU

My level is between 20-30 ng/ml

According to the Vitamin D Council, you’re de cient in vitamin D. According to the Endocrine
Society, you’re insu cient. By the Institute of Medicine’s standards, you’re getting enough
vitamin D. If you’re Caucasian American, you’re likely to have a vitamin D level in this range.

With a vitamin D level in this range you’re less likely to have health problems than when
vitamin D is at lower levels. However, your body may still be producing too much
parathyroid hormone and not fully absorbing calcium, which can affect your bones. 
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Research shows that levels above 30 ng/ml may be more likely to prevent bone problems
such as fractures.

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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

If you want to raise your blood levels starting from 25 ng/ml, you can take the following
action (based on an average body weight of 150lbs):

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

30 ng/ml 600 IU

40 ng/ml 2000 IU

50 ng/ml 3700 IU

60 ng/ml 5800 IU

70 ng/ml 8600 IU

My level is between 30-40 ng/ml

According to the Vitamin D Council, you’re still not quite su cient in vitamin D, though your
levels are better than most people’s. By Endocrine Society and Institute of Medicine
standards, you’re getting enough vitamin D.

The good news is, with vitamin D levels in this range, your body is absorbing calcium well
and you should have the right levels of parathyroid hormone. This means strong and
healthy bones. In some research studies, vitamin D levels in this range have been shown to
reduce your risk of developing cancer and improve your immune system, which ghts
infection.

If you want to raise your blood levels starting from 35 ng/ml, you can take the following
action (based on an average body weight of 150lbs)

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

40 ng/ml 800 IU

50 ng/ml 2500 IU
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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

60 ng/ml 4600 IU

70 ng/ml 7300 IU

My level is between 40-50 ng/ml

According to most standards, including the Vitamin D Council, Endocrine Society and
Institute of Medicine, you are getting enough vitamin D!

These are the levels of vitamin D humans evolved with. If you spent an entire year exposing
your full naked body to the sun at the equator, these are the levels of vitamin D you would
have. In modern times, these are the levels that hunter gatherers still living traditional
outdoor lifestyles in Africa have.

At these levels, vitamin D is working well to control the level of parathyroid hormone and
calcium in your body. If you’re breastfeeding you will have vitamin D in your breast milk to
pass on to your baby.

Some research studies suggest that these levels of vitamin D are linked to a reduced risk of
some cancers and better heart health and circulation. Research also suggests that this
level of vitamin D helps to give you a strong immune system to ght infection.

If you want to raise your blood levels starting from 45 ng/ml, you can take the following
action (based on an average body weight of 150lbs):

To achieve this level… Take this much supplement per day…

50 ng/ml 900 IU

60 ng/ml 3000 IU

70 ng/ml 5700 IU

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My level is between 50-60 ng/ml

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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

You’re getting the right amount of vitamin D by the standards set by the Vitamin D Council
and Endocrine Society. The Institute of Medicine, however, doesn’t feel there is enough
evidence to say that having a level higher than 50 ng/ml is of any bene t.

Some vitamin D researchers believe that these levels are the best to aim for, though more
research is needed to be sure about this.

My level is between 60-80 ng/ml

You’re getting the right amount of vitamin D by the standards set by the Vitamin D Council
and Endocrine Society. The Institute of Medicine, however, doesn’t feel there is enough
evidence to say that having a level higher than 50 ng/ml is of any bene t.

The Vitamin D Council considers this the “high-normal” range. Research studies have
shown that you can achieve these levels just by exposing your skin to the sun, so it’s
believed that these are certainly healthy and natural levels.

There isn’t currently enough research to know if there is any bene t to having vitamin D

levels this high, instead of levels between 40 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml. However, there is no
known danger in keeping your vitamin D level in this 60-80 ng/ml range.

My level is between 80-100 ng/ml

You are still within the normal range according to testing laboratories and the Endocrine
Society. The Institute of Medicine, however, doesn’t feel there is enough evidence to say
that having a level higher than 50 ng/ml is of any bene t.

These levels are just above what you can naturally achieve by just exposing your skin to the
sun. In other words, you can’t achieve these levels without taking a supplement.

There isn’t currently enough research to know if there is any bene t to having levels this
high. However, there is no known danger in maintaining levels in this 80-100 ng/ml range.

My level is between 100-150 ng/ml

Although these levels aren’t toxic and aren’t usually harmful, they are thought to be too high.
There are no known bene ts to having a vitamin D level over 100 ng/ml. A study by a group
of researchers in Utah found that levels over 100 ng/ml are linked to a slight increased risk
of developing an irregular heart beat called atrial brillation.

You should take steps to lower your levels to below 100 ng/ml , unless you are under the
supervision of your doctor. To lower your levels, stop taking supplements. After three
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months, test your vitamin D levels and adjust the amount of supplement you take  once
your test results show your level has dropped back down to the normal range.

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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

My level is greater than 150 ng/ml

You have toxic levels of vitamin D, which can be harmful to your health. You should take
steps to lower your levels to below 100 ng/ml unless you’re under the supervision of your
doctor.

To lower your levels, stop taking supplements. After three months, test your vitamin D
levels and adjust the amount of supplement you take  once your test results show your
level has dropped back down to the normal range.

References

1. Bouillon, R. How to De ne Optimal Vitamin D Status. In Vitamin D, Third Edition, by

Feldman D, Pike JW and Adams JS. Elsevier Academic Press, 2011.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Second National Report on
Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition, 2012.
3. Garland CF, French CB, Baggerly LL, Heaney RP. Vitamin D supplement doses and
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the range associated with cancer prevention.
Anticancer Res. 2011 Feb;31(2):607-11.
4. Heaney, R. Assessing vitamin D status. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and
Metabolic Care, 2011.
5. Holick MF, Binkley NC, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Gordon CM, Hanley DA, Heaney RP,
Murad MH, Weaver CM; Endocrine Society. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention
of vitamin D de ciency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin
Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jul;96(7):1911-30.
6. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes for 
Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2010.
7. Luxwolda MF, Kuipers RS, Kema IP, Janneke Dijck-Brouwer DA, Muskiet FA.
Traditionally living populations in East Africa have a mean serum 25-
hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 115 nmol/l. Br J Nutr. 2012 Jan 23:1-5.
8. Smith MB et al. Vitamin D Excess Is Signi cantly Associated with Risk of Atrial
Fibrillation. American Heart Assocation 2011 Meeting. 2011; 124: A14699.
9. Vieth R. The Pharmacology of Vitamin D. In Vitamin D, Third Edition, by Feldman D,
Pike JW and Adams JS. Elsevier Academic Press, 2011.
10. Zhu K, Austin N, Devine A, Bruce D, Prince RL. A randomized controlled trial of the
effects of vitamin D on muscle strength and mobility in older women with vitamin
D insu ciency. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Nov;58(11):2063-8.

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5/15/2018 I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?

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