News and Stories

November 30, 2023

Everything You Need to Know About HIV Testing

Whether you are sexually active or just want to stay informed, being aware of your HIV status is an important step in taking charge of your sexual health. 

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November 10, 2023

Unveiling the World of Genetic Counseling: An Interview with Elizabeth Melchionna

In honor of Genetic Counselor Awareness Day, we had the privilege of speaking with Elizabeth Melchionna, a genetic counselor at HNL Lab Medicine. 

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November 06, 2023

Gut Check: Clostridium difficile

Clostridioides difficile, commonly known as C. diff, is a bacterium that can cause infections in the colon, leading to a range of symptoms that can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, serious.

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November 03, 2023

Celebrating Our Commitment to Quality: Recent CAP Inspection Validates HNL Lab Medicine’s Excellence

At HNL Lab Medicine, we are thrilled to share a significant milestone that exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional quality healthcare.

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October 29, 2023

World Stroke Day

Sharing a Personal Experience on World Stroke Day to Raise Awareness about Strokes.

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News and Stories

January 30, 2023
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Don’t you just loathe these dark winter days? Winter can be tough here in Pennsylvania, from slushy snow to frigid days, with darkness in between. Unfortunately, we have another reason to have the winter blues- Vitamin D deficiency.

Wondering how the winter could affect the level of vitamin D in your body? Read more below to learn all about this vital relationship.
 

Vitamin D: Surprising Health Benefits

Vitamin D is a nutrient that your body needs in order to stay healthy. Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because your body uses sunlight to make it. With direct sunlight, your body is able to synthesize this vital nutrient. In fact, around 90% of the vitamin D in your body is made from sunlight¹!

However, light received through the windows, while driving, or during a tanning session doesn’t increase the level of vitamin D in your body. Because many people get less direct sunlight during the winter, vitamin D levels can fall below normal during this time of the year.
 

The Roles of Vitamin D  

Vitamin D has a number of roles in the body. It can²:

  • Promote calcium absorption

  • Promote bone growth and remodeling

  • Reduce inflammation

Because vitamin D is involved in multiple body processes, like the modulation of cell growth and immune function, it is being studied for its potential protective effects against cancer, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and other chronic conditions³.
 

Vitamin D Deficiency: Causes and Symptoms

Sometimes low levels of vitamin D cause no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they might include:

  • Low back pain

  • Muscle weakness

  • Muscle aches

  • Bone pain

Without adequate levels of vitamin D, bones can become thin, misshapen, or brittle. Because this “sunshine vitamin” is so important for bone health, persistent low levels of this nutrient can result in:

  • hypocalcemic tetany

  • osteoporosis

  • rickets in children

  • osteomalacia in adults

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

So, how can you raise the level of vitamin D in your body? Easy!

  1. Improve your diet.

Most adults require 600 IU/d of vitamin D each day³. Dietary sources include egg yolks, cheese, fish like mackerel and salmon, cod liver oil, and beef liver. Some food items- like orange juice, milk, yogurt, and cereal- are fortified to contain vitamin D.

  1. Get lots of sunshine!

One of the easiest ways to get vitamin D is to make it yourself! Because UV-B rays are the only ones that the body can use, light from tanning will not stimulate the production of vitamin D. So get out there and get some sun!
 

How to Test Your Vitamin D Levels

Still worried that you may not be getting enough vitamin D? There is an easy solution! Discuss vitamin D deficiency with your healthcare provider.

A single blood test can measure the levels of vitamin D in your body. Under a doctor’s medical supervision, inadequate levels can be treated easily with high supplemental doses of vitamin D. Get tested today!

 


REFERENCES
¹Bordelon, P., Ghetu, M. V., & Langan, R. C. (2009). Recognition and management of vitamin D deficiency. American family physician, 80(8), 841–846.

²National Institutes of Health. (2022, August 12). Vitamin D fact Sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ .

³Vanchinathan, V., & Lim, H. W. (2012). A dermatologist's perspective on vitamin D. Mayo Clinic proceedings87(4), 372–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.12.010