MEASUREMENT OF THE VITAMIN D LEVEL
The most important task of vitamin D is to help the gut to absorb calcium and phosphorous.
During the darker months, we do not get sufficient vitamin D from our diets and we need to take vitamin D supplements. Finnish studies show that vitamin D deficiency is more common among women than men. Overweight women of working age who take little physical exercise and do not take vitamin D supplements have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Older people are also at a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency as their skin produces less vitamin D, they don’t move about as much and their clothing in the summer can cover much of their skin.
Vitamin D is obtained from oily fish and milk products and spreadable products that are enriched with vitamin D.
Come in and find out if you are getting enough vitamin D.
No referral is required and you can come to the laboratory during opening hours.
MEASUREMENT OF THE VITAMIN B12 LEVEL
As people age, the uptake of vitamin B12 from food decreases and vitamin B12 deficiency is common among those over the age of 60. Vitamin B12 is important as a lack of it causes anaemia, pain, memory disturbances and depression. This deficiency emerges slowly over the course of several years. The cause is of often an impaired uptake of the vitamin and an unbalanced diet. It is possible to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency with a balanced diet and, when necessary, vitamin supplements.