What is the Suresign Vitamin D Deficiency test?
The Suresign Vitamin D deficiency test is a diagnostic tool used to measure the levels of Vitamin D found in the bloodstream. The kit includes everything you need to easily collect a sample of blood and a cassette that is used to process the blood sample and provide accurate information about Vitamin D levels found in blood.
How does the Suresign Vitamin D Deficiency test work?
The Suresign Vitamin D deficiency test relies on a process called competitive binding. A blood sample is applied to the test strip, which contains a region coated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D), a compound that resembles Vitamin D. As the sample flows upward on the strip, the Vitamin D present in the blood competes with the 25 (OH) D on the strip to bind with antibodies specifically designed to detect 25-hydroxyvitamin D. These antibodies are attached at special locations on the strip.
If there's a lot of Vitamin D in the blood specimen, it will fill more of these special spots, leaving fewer spots for the Vitamin D on the strip. The higher the concentration of 25 (OH) D in the blood sample, the lighter the T (Test) line will become. To interpret the results, compare the colour of the test strip against the colour card that comes with the kit.
How do I use the Suresign Vitamin D Deficiency test?
In order to use the test, it is important to use the following procedure to ensure that the results of the test are accurate:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the kit
- Bring the test pouch to room temperature before opening it
- Once the pouch is open, remove the test cassette and place it on a clean and level surface. Make sure to run the test within an hour of opening the foil pouch to ensure accurate results
- Remove the remaining contents from the pouch which include the dropper, buffer vial, lancet and alcohol pad by placing them close to the test cassette
- Carefully pull off the released cap of the lancet
- Use the provided alcohol pad to clean the fingertip of the middle or ring finger and allow to air-dry
- Press the lancet on the side from where the cup was extracted - the sharp tip will retract automatically and the lancet is safe after use.
- Massage the hand without touching the puncture while keeping the hand down to obtain blood drop
- Without squeezing the capillary dropper bulb, put it in contact with blood. The blood migrates into the capillary dropper through the capillarity to the line indicated on the dropper
- Release the blood collected into the specimen well (marker with an S) of the cassette by squeezing the dropper bulb
- Wait for the blood to finish dispensing completely in the well
- Unscrew the cap of the bugger bottle and add 2 drops of buffer into the buffer well (marked with a B) of the cassette
- Wait for 10 minutes to see the colour line(s) appear. Compare the intensity of the T line with the “Vitamin D Colour pad” provided in the kit.
- Do not interpret the results after 20 minutes.
How do I interpret the results?
After successfully collecting the sample and placing it into the cassette, the Test line (marked with T) will start to change colour. The colour difference between the control line (marked with C) and the test (marked with T) will provide an indication of the results when compared with the colour pad provided in the kit.
Deficient:
Two distinct coloured lines appear.
The line intensity in the test region (T) is as dark or darker than the 10ng/mL line depicted on the colour card.
Insufficient:
Two coloured lines appear.
The line intensity in the test region (T) is darker than the 30/mL line depicted on the colour card and lighter than the 10ng/mL line depicted on the colour card
Sufficient:
Two coloured lines appear, one line in the control region (C) and a faint coloured line in the test region (T). The line intensity in the region (T) is equal to or lighter than the 30ng/mL line on the colour card.
Excess:
One coloured line appears in the control line region (C). No apparent coloured line appears in the test line region (T). If the result is excess, it is recommended to consult with your GP or doctor.
Invalid:
The control line fails to appear. Insufficient specimen volume or incorrect procedural techniques are the most likely reasons for control line failure.