Blog — Vitamin D and Pregnancy

Vitamin D, comprising D2 and D3, is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. From maintaining strong bones to supporting immune function, this sunshine vitamin is a key player in various physiological processes. In this blog, we will explore the importance of Vitamin D, identify common symptoms of deficiency, discover natural sources, and learn about the Vitamin D blood spot test.1. Understanding Vitamin D:Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two main forms: Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). While Vitamin D2 is found in plant-based sources, such as mushrooms,...

By Margaret N Groves, M.Phil, ELS Two vitamin D studies were published recently, both utilising ZRT's testing in dried blood spots. Dried blood spot samples are well suited for research applications because they are equivalent to serum but have the advantage of the ease of sample collection, shipping, and storage, which doesn’t require any refrigeration or biohazard labeling. Also, samples are easily identified by details that can simply be written on the outside flap of the collection cards, which require minimal freezer space for long-term storage of samples. Here are brief summaries of each study: Wakayo T, Belachew T, Vatanparast H,...

          Before you get pregnant, or right when you get pregnant, blood tests are done to check for anemia, certain viruses, blood type and other markers. Increasingly, doctors are now also testing a woman’s vitamin D level. Vitamin D has been a hot topic in the medical world for a few years, but why and how is it affecting conception, pregnancy and the health of the newborn? This question - about vitamin D and pregnancy - has kept scientists busy for almost a decade now. Let’s start by understanding what vitamin D is. Vitamin D is Actually a...