Quick Facts
- Sample: Venous blood draw
- Fasting: 8–12 hours required
- Turn-around: 3-4 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive screening – Combines diabetes and vitamin D testing in one convenient blood draw
- Early detection – Identifies prediabetes and vitamin D deficiency before symptoms develop
- Cost-effective monitoring – 40–85% less expensive than traditional healthcare visits
- No physician referral – Direct access testing with secure online results
- Proven accuracy – HbA1c demonstrates 96% specificity for diabetes diagnosis
- Kidney protection – Includes microalbumin testing for early diabetic kidney disease detection
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults over 35 seeking annual diabetes screening
- Individuals with diabetes risk factors (e.g., obesity, family history, hypertension)
- People monitoring prediabetes or managing diagnosed diabetes
- Anyone concerned about vitamin D deficiency symptoms (e.g., fatigue, bone pain)
- Health-conscious consumers wanting a comprehensive metabolic assessment
- Those with limited sun exposure or low dietary vitamin D intake
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - no appointment needed, walk into any lab location
- Quick blood draw - single sample after 8-12 hour fast
- Get results - secure online portal within 3-4 business days
FAQ
Do I need to fast for this test? Yes, fast for 8-12 hours before your blood draw. Water is permitted during fasting.
What conditions does this panel detect? It screens for diabetes, prediabetes, vitamin D deficiency, and early kidney damage from diabetes.
How accurate are these tests? HbA1c shows 96% specificity and 51% sensitivity for diabetes diagnosis. Combined testing improves accuracy.
Can I take my medications before testing? Continue regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
What if my results are abnormal? Abnormal results require physician consultation within 1-2 weeks for proper evaluation and treatment planning.
How often should I repeat this panel? Annually for screening, every 3 months for diabetes monitoring, or as recommended by your doctor.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Diabetes + Vitamin D Blood Test Panel provides comprehensive assessment of blood sugar control and vitamin D status through a single blood draw. This panel recognizes the significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes risk, as studies show vitamin D insufficiency increases diabetes risk by 4% for each 10 nmol/L decrease (Nature 2023).
The panel includes HbA1c to measure average blood sugar over 2-3 months, comprehensive metabolic panel for glucose and kidney function, 25-hydroxyvitamin D for vitamin D status, and microalbumin testing for early kidney damage detection. This integrated approach enables proactive health management for two interconnected conditions affecting millions of Americans.
Who would benefit from this test?
This panel particularly benefits adults over 35, especially those with diabetes risk factors including obesity, family history, or hypertension. With 38.4 million Americans having diabetes and 22.8% of adults with diabetes being undiagnosed (CDC 2024), early detection is crucial.
Additionally, approximately 24% of Americans have inadequate vitamin D levels (PMC 2024). The panel is valuable for individuals with prediabetes requiring monitoring, anyone concerned about vitamin D deficiency symptoms, and health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, cost-effective metabolic assessment without physician visits.
When should I order this panel?
Order this panel for annual screening if you're over 35 or have diabetes risk factors, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2024). Consider testing every 3 months if you have prediabetes or diagnosed diabetes for ongoing monitoring.
You should also order when experiencing diabetes symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained fatigue, or vitamin D deficiency symptoms including bone pain, muscle weakness, or frequent infections. The panel is ideal for baseline health assessment before starting wellness programs or when monitoring treatment effectiveness.
How do I interpret the results?
HbA1c < 5.7%
- What it means: Normal blood sugar
- Typical action: Continue healthy lifestyle, annual screening
HbA1c 5.7–6.4%
- What it means: Prediabetes
- Typical action: Lifestyle changes, 3-month monitoring
HbA1c ≥ 6.5%
- What it means: Diabetes
- Typical action: Physician consultation, treatment planning
Optimal vitamin D levels are ≥50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL), with deficiency below this threshold requiring supplementation.
Normal fasting glucose is <100 mg/dL, while prediabetes ranges 100-125 mg/dL and diabetes is ≥126 mg/dL. Microalbumin levels <30 mg/g creatinine indicate normal kidney function. Abnormal results in any component require physician consultation for proper evaluation and treatment planning.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 8-12 hours before your blood draw, consuming only water during this period. Avoid excessive exercise 24 hours prior to testing as it may affect glucose results. Continue taking regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Inform laboratory staff of any current infections, fever, or acute illness that may impact test accuracy. Present valid photo identification and payment at the testing location. No special preparations are needed for the vitamin D component of the panel.
How often should I get tested?
- Normal results, high-risk adults – Suggested interval: Annually
- Prediabetes monitoring – Suggested interval: Every 3 months
- Diabetes management – Suggested interval: Every 3 months
- Vitamin D deficiency treatment – Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months
The American Diabetes Association recommends starting diabetes screening at age 35 for all adults, with annual testing for those with normal results but risk factors (ADA Standards 2024). More frequent testing may be necessary based on individual risk factors and physician recommendations.
Why early detection matters
Early detection of prediabetes allows intervention that can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes development. Studies show lifestyle modifications can reduce diabetes risk by 58% in prediabetic individuals (NIDDK 2024).
Vitamin D deficiency correction may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Microalbumin testing can detect kidney damage 5-10 years before traditional markers, enabling early intervention to prevent diabetic nephropathy progression (National Kidney Foundation).
Related tests you may consider
Diabetes #2 Essential Blood and Urine Test Panel - Includes a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) with Glucose, Complete Blood Count (CBC)'s, Hemoglobin A1C plus Insulin, Urinalysis, Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio Urine, and C-Peptide.
Thyroid #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel - Evaluates healthy thyroid function and screens for thyroid disorders.
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Insulin Fasting Blood Test- Measures how much insulin is in your blood after not eating, helping doctors check for problems like diabetes and insulin resistance.
