Know Your Number

A simple blood test reveals your vitamin D level. It's the single most important thing you can do for your vitamin D health.

42%
of US adults are vitamin D deficient
82%
of Black Americans are deficient
70%
of Hispanic Americans are deficient

What Test to Ask For

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)

This is the standard test. It measures the form of vitamin D circulating in your blood and is the best indicator of your overall vitamin D status. When you ask your doctor, say:

Just say: "I'd like to check my vitamin D level" — your doctor will know to order the 25(OH)D test.

There is also a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D test, but that measures the active hormone form and is NOT useful for assessing your vitamin D status. Make sure you get the 25-hydroxy version.

How to Read Your Results

Level Status What It Means
< 20 ng/mL Deficient Your body doesn't have enough vitamin D. Bone health, immune function, and mood may all be affected. Talk to your doctor about supplementation.
20–30 ng/mL Insufficient Below optimal but not critically low. Most people can improve with modest sun exposure and/or a daily supplement.
30–60 ng/mL Optimal The sweet spot. Your body has what it needs for bone health, immune function, and cellular processes.
60–100 ng/mL High Above optimal but generally safe. Usually seen in people taking high-dose supplements. No action needed unless symptoms present.
> 100 ng/mL Potentially Toxic Risk of hypercalcemia. Stop all vitamin D supplements and see your doctor. This level is almost impossible to reach from sun exposure alone — it requires prolonged high-dose supplementation.
Units matter. The US uses ng/mL. Many other countries use nmol/L. To convert: nmol/L ÷ 2.5 = ng/mL. D-Minder supports both units.

Important: Testing Alone Isn't Enough

A blood test only tells you about the vitamin D you've accumulated over the past ~90 days. Testing alone is not an insurance policy against lapsing into deficiency.

Think of it like checking your bank balance once a year — it shows you what you have at that moment, but it doesn't guarantee you won't run out by next year. You need:

D-Minder is designed to bridge the gaps between blood tests. By tracking your daily sun exposure and supplements, you'll know whether your behavior is keeping you sufficient, not just hope and check once a year.

How Often to Test

Best time to test: Late winter (February–March) reveals your lowest point. Late summer (August–September) shows your peak. Testing both gives you the full picture of your annual cycle.

Where to Get Tested

Through Your Doctor

The simplest option. Ask at your next checkup or schedule a visit. Most insurance covers vitamin D testing, especially if you have risk factors (dark skin, limited sun exposure, obesity, age over 65).

Direct-to-Consumer Labs

No doctor visit needed. Order online, walk into a lab, get results in 1–3 days.

Typical cost without insurance: $30–60.

At-Home Test Kits

Finger-prick tests you mail in. Slightly less accurate than a venous blood draw but convenient.

Enter Your Results in D-Minder

Once you have your number, enter it in D-Minder. The app will:

Your first lab result is the most valuable — it transforms D-Minder from estimating to knowing.

Start Tracking Your Vitamin D

Download D-Minder and enter your lab result for personalized vitamin D guidance.

Download D-Minder