Vitamin D

Vitamin D describes a group of fat-soluble vitamins of which vitamin D3 is the most important type for humans. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone mineralization by supporting the intake of calcium from the intestines and installation into the bones. Moreover, Vitamin D is involved in important metabolic processes and in the formation of proteins. Vitamin D can either be produced by the body itself or ingested with food. A sufficient provision through foods is difficult though because only a few foods contain a considerable amount of vitamin D.
People who spend little time outdoors have a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. This especially includes people who are chronically ill, older, or in need of care. Elderly people are particularly at risk because the vitamin D production of one’s own body decreases with age. Moreover, people with chronical gastrointestinal, liver, or kidney diseases are counted in the risk group because they often have a poor vitamin D utilization.
The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are diverse and vary from person to person. On one hand, there can be psychological symptoms such as tiredness and difficulty concentrating; on the other hand, there can be physical symptoms like bone pain, hair loss, and frequent infections. A particularly significant vitamin D deficiency can have severe consequences, such as bone problems or the development of rickets, in the long-term.
A deficiency is defined as the absence of vitamin D over a long period of time and, at the same time, the occurrence of symptoms which indicate a vitamin D deficiency. The level of vitamin D can be affected by strong seasonal fluctuations, which is why the measurement should be repeated after some time to determine if there is a long-term deficiency, as well as to get a full overview of the results.
A vitamin D excess is as damaging as a vitamin D deficiency. Usually, a vitamin D excess does not develop from endogenous production or the absorption through normal foods. However, taking excessively high doses of supplements, eating enriched foods, or taking medications can cause an acute poisoning or an insidious overdose.

Due to the high vitamin D level in the body, an overdose leads to increased calcium levels. This so-called hypercalcemia is followed by symptoms such as sickness, stomach aches, or vomiting. In serious cases, it can also cause kidney damage or cardiac arrhythmia; and in the worst cases, it may even be deadly. Taking supplements should therefore constantly be controlled and should only be taken if there is an actual deficiency.

hs-CRP

C-reactive protein (CRP) is released into the blood by the liver in response to any kind of inflammation. Its level rises and falls rapidly after worsening or improvement of the inflammatory situation, making it a useful marker for monitoring disease activity. The high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) assay is more precise than conventional CRP tests when measuring extremely low CRP levels.
A very low increase in CRP levels is observed in many chronic inflammation-related disorders that are also associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, elevated concentrations could also indicate early, mild, or resolving systemic inflammation.
A variety of conditions including acute bacterial and viral illnesses, rheumatic arthritis, and many other inflammatory diseases, are usually associated with increased levels. When CRP remains high, it is an indication of chronic systemic inflammation that is also associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Increases in CRP values would warrant further investigations and should not be interpreted without a complete clinical evaluation.

General

Please read the following instructions in detail, before starting with the sample collection.