How to get a vitamin D test in BC, and what a good vitamin D level is in nmol/L

You can get a vitamin D test in BC through your doctor, who orders it with public funding when it's clinically indicated, or through a private, physician-ordered service such as Numia Health. BC Guidelines treat a level of 50 nmol/L or higher as adequate for bone health in practically everyone.

The test to ask for is 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the form that reflects your body's stores. It isn't listed on BC's standard lab form, so your doctor has to write it in.

Why get a baseline anyway? Because low vitamin D is common in Canada. In a national survey, about 1 in 4 Canadians were below 50 nmol/L, and more than a third of those not taking a supplement were below it in winter (Whiting et al., 2011). Numia Health, a physician-ordered, at-home blood testing service in Greater Vancouver, measures vitamin D on its Basic Nutrients panel.

What is a good vitamin D level in nmol/L?

BC Guidelines, written for a publicly funded system that prioritises clinically indicated tests, use these cut-offs:

• Under 30 nmol/L: risk of deficiency
• 30 to 50 nmol/L: inadequate for some people
• 50 nmol/L or more: adequate for bone health in practically everyone
• Over 125 nmol/L: potential for adverse effects

To convert to ng/mL, divide by 2.5 (lab units guide). If too much vitamin D is suspected, your doctor can check calcium and parathyroid hormone.

Why does winter in BC matter?

Above about 35° North, winter sunlight lacks the ultraviolet B (UVB) your skin needs to make vitamin D, Osteoporosis Canada says, and Vancouver sits near 49°. BC Guidelines add that from autumn to spring, adults are "unlikely to achieve adequate vitamin D levels through diet and sunlight alone."

Here's the catch: one result is a snapshot. In Calgary, healthy adults tested every three months had average levels nearly 20 nmol/L lower in fall than in summer, and a third dipped below 40 nmol/L at least once (Rucker et al., 2002). Tracking your own number in the same season each time shows whether it's holding, and Numia keeps every result in one app (is your supplement working?).

How do your testing options compare?

Where does Numia fit?

Numia puts the usual steps (appointment, requisition, lab visit, wait, follow-up appointment) in one place. A licensed Canadian physician approves your requisition online in about 3 minutes, and a BC-licensed clinician comes to your home for a 10-minute morning draw; the Basic Nutrients panel needs no fasting. Results arrive in plain English in the Numia app in 7 days, and the Numia Companion, an AI that has read them, answers questions. Out-of-range results are physician-reviewed with next steps, and an optional wellness consultation is available. Numia is an HSA-eligible service.

Frequently asked questions

Is a vitamin D test publicly funded in BC?

Yes, when it's clinically indicated, such as with kidney disease, malabsorption or osteoporosis. For a personal baseline, Numia's Basic Nutrients panel includes it; our nutrient testing guide compares routes.

What vitamin D target do BC Guidelines use: 50 or 75 nmol/L?

BC Guidelines use 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL). Osteoporosis Canada's 2010 guideline set 75 nmol/L for adults who need supplements.

Do I need a test before starting vitamin D?

Not to start a standard dose, BC Guidelines say. A test gives you a starting point, though: a retest three to four months later shows how far your level has moved, and Numia shows both side by side.