We offer Vitamin Testing in Newport Beach and throughout California via LabCorp or Quest. 

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to various symptoms and health issues, including:

1. Bone and Muscle Problems:
   • Bone pain and lower back pain.
   • Muscle weakness and muscle cramps.
   • Increased risk of fractures, especially in the elderly.
   • Rickets in children, leading to soft and weak bones.
   • Osteomalacia in adults, causing bone pain and muscle weakness.
   • Osteoporosis, leading to fragile bones and a higher risk of fractures.
2. Fatigue and Tiredness:
   • Persistent tiredness and fatigue that does not improve with rest.
3. Mood Changes:
   • Symptoms of depression or low mood.
   • Irritability and general mood swings.
4. Impaired Immune Function:
   • Increased susceptibility to infections and illnesses, such as colds and flu.
5. Hair Loss:
   • Hair loss or thinning hair, sometimes linked to alopecia areata.
6. Slow Wound Healing:
   • Delayed healing of cuts, wounds, or surgeries.
7. Bone Deformities in Children:
   • Skeletal deformities due to improper bone development.
8. Cardiovascular Issues:
   • Potential contribution to hypertension and heart disease.
9. Cognitive Impairment:
   • Issues with memory, concentration, and mental clarity.
10. General Pain and Achiness:
    • Widespread body pain or achiness that is not attributable to other conditions.

It is essential to maintain adequate vitamin D levels to prevent these symptoms and support overall health. If you suspect a vitamin D deficiency, we provide proper testing and guidance on supplementation or lifestyle changes. Order vitamin D testing today!

• Credit Card, HSA & FSA Payments are Accepted for lab orders and interpretation. 
• Read about our professional online dispensary here
• A list of Vitamin D supplements we recommend can be accessed on our professional online dispensary  (You will make an account to access our public recommendations).

Vitamin D supplementation is important for several reasons:

1. Bone Health: Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption in the gut, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Without adequate vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen, leading to conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults.
2. Immune System Support: Vitamin D plays a vital role in enhancing the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages, white blood cells that are crucial to immune defense. It also decreases inflammation, which helps with immune response.
3. Muscle Function: Adequate levels of vitamin D are necessary for muscle function. It helps in muscle contraction and strength, reducing the risk of falls and fractures, particularly in the elderly.
4. Mood and Mental Health: Vitamin D is involved in brain function and the modulation of neurotransmitters. Some research suggests that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to depression and other mood disorders.
5. Cardiovascular Health: Vitamin D may help regulate blood pressure and improve heart health. Some studies suggest that it might reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by influencing heart muscle function and inflammation.
6. Disease Prevention: Adequate levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers. It is thought to help regulate insulin and manage blood sugar levels.
7. Overall Health and Longevity: Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels contributes to overall health and well-being. It is essential for many bodily functions, and deficiencies have been linked to a range of health problems.

Since it’s challenging to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone, and factors like limited sun exposure or certain medical conditions can lead to deficiencies, supplementation is often recommended to ensure adequate levels for maintaining health.

Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D. Vitamin A is essential for immune system function, cellular growth, eye health, and reproduction. Additionally, cod liver oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease blood clot formation and reduce inflammation in the body. We recommend Cod Liver Oil listed under Vitamin D options on our online dispensary.

Is Vitamin D a hormone? Yes, vitamin D functions as a hormone. While it is commonly referred to as a vitamin, it is unique because the body can synthesize it in the skin through exposure to sunlight, specifically UVB radiation. Here’s how vitamin D acts as a hormone:

1. Synthesis and Activation:
   • Vitamin D is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. It is then converted in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], also known as calcidiol.
   • This form is further converted in the kidneys to its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D], also known as calcitriol.
2. Hormonal Functions:
   • Regulation of Calcium and Phosphate: Calcitriol acts to maintain calcium and phosphate levels in the blood, promoting the absorption of calcium in the gut, reabsorption in the kidneys, and release from bones.
   • Gene Expression: As a steroid hormone, calcitriol binds to vitamin D receptors (VDR) in various tissues, influencing the expression of genes involved in a wide range of biological processes, including immune function and cell growth.
3. Systemic Effects:
   • Bone Health: Essential for bone formation and remodeling.
   • Immune System: Modulates the immune response, reducing inflammation and enhancing pathogen defense.
   • Muscle Function: Influences muscle strength and function.
   • Other Functions: Impacts cardiovascular health, insulin regulation, and mood.

Due to its broad and systemic effects on the body, vitamin D is considered a hormone rather than just a nutrient.

We use LabCorp and Quest for vitamin D testing.