Benefits of regular vitamin D tests are unclear: Study

Health experts said regular tests for vitamin D levels are not proven to be beneficial or harmful to a person, despite previous research warning of damaging effects of vitamin D deficiencies in adults.

Previous studies have concluded that low levels of the vitamin can increase the risk of bone fractures, heart disease, colorectal cancer, diabetes, depression, heart problems, Alzheimer's disease and even death.

However, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) said there was no evidence that getting regularly tested for sufficient vitamin D decreased health risks.

"Current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults," USPSTF said in a statement. "We found no direct evidence on effects of screening for vitamin D deficiency versus no screening on clinical outcomes."

The experts from the federal panel said that tests should be ordered on a case-by-case basis and should not be conducted universally.

Vitamin D can be found in oily fishes such as salmon, tuna or mackerel, as well as milk, eggs and cheese. It can also be obtained by the conversion of ultraviolet rays from the skin that come in contact with bare skin.  It is also available in supplement form and is a key component for healthy bones and muscle strength

Patients with kidney disease or bone disease, as well as elderly patients, should still take vitamin D supplements if instructed to do so by their doctor, the study said. However, researchers believe that many people may not stand to benefit from vitamin D supplements not recommended by a physician.

About one billion around the globe are thought to have low vitamin D levels.

Previous studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D may be linked with increased risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.