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» A AMC MAGA Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 01 5
To learn more about bone health and to take a quiz, visit
askAAMC.org/Bones
.
VITAMIN D TESTS
When you need them
—
and when you don’t
How can you get
enough vitamin D?
Get some sun.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays
create vitamin D in your skin cells. You
don’t need a lot of sun. A 10-minute walk
in the midday sun can create as much as
15 times the amount of vitamin D that you
need every day.
Eat foods that are rich in vitamin D.
››
Meat, poultry and fatty fish are rich in
vitamin D.
››
Shrimp, mackerel, sardines, and fresh
herring also are rich in vitamin D.
››
Vitamin D is added to some foods,
including tofu, orange juice and some
dairy products.
Eat breakfast.
Two eggs, a glass of
orange juice and a bowl of cereal with milk
can add a dose of vitamin D to your day.
Talk to your doctor about supplements.
If you don’t get much sun and your diet is
low in vitamin D, a supplement may help.
Source: ChoosingWisely.org
Many people don’t have enough
vitamin D in their bodies. Low vitamin D
increases the risk of broken bones. It may
also contribute to other health problems.
That’s why doctors often order a blood
test to measure vitamin D.
But many people do not need the test.
Here’s why:
A test usually does not improve
treatment.
Many people have low levels
of vitamin D, but few have seriously low
levels. Most of us don’t need a vitamin D
test. We just need to make simple changes
so we get enough D.
Even if you are at risk for other
diseases, like diabetes and heart disease,
a vitamin D test isn’t usually helpful.
The test results are unlikely to change
the advice from your doctor. It is much
more important for you to make lifestyle
changes first—to stop smoking, aim for a
healthy weight and be physically active.
Extra tests lead to extra treatments
and costs.
Getting tests that you don’t
need often leads to treatments you don’t
need or treatments that can even be
harmful. For example, if you take too
much vitamin D, it can damage your
kidneys and other organs.
When should you have the test?
Talk to your doctor about your risks.
Here are some conditions where you
might need a vitamin D test:
›
›
If you have osteoporosis. This disease
makes your bones weak, so that they
are more likely to break.
›
›
If you have a disease that damages your
body’s ability to use vitamin D. These
include inflammatory bowel disease,
celiac disease, kidney disease, liver
disease, and pancreatitis.
›
›
If your doctor suggests getting a
vitamin D test, ask about your risks.
If your risk is high, you should get the
test. If your risk is low, ask if you can
avoid the test. Ask if you can boost
your vitamin D with sunlight and food,
and possibly supplements.
›
›
If your doctor does need to keep track
of your vitamin D, make sure the same
test is used each time.
Source: ChoosingWisely.org
This report is for you to use when talking with your
healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical
advice and treatment.
Choosing Wisely
®
is a national
initiative that encourages patients
and doctors to have important
conversations about the necessity of
test and treatments. To learn more,
visit
askAAMC.org/ChoosingWisely
.
Choosing Wisely