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Understanding Your VDR Genotype and Vitamin D Health

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus to support strong bones and teeth. It also plays a role in immune function, muscle health, and mood regulation. The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene influences how effectively your body uses vitamin D by producing a receptor protein that binds active vitamin D and triggers its effects. Variations in the VDR gene can change how well this receptor works, which may affect how efficiently your body benefits from vitamin D even when blood levels appear adequate.

Why the VDR Gene Matters

The VDR protein acts like a lock that the active form of vitamin D must fit into to turn on processes such as calcium absorption, immune signaling, and muscle function. If the receptor works less efficiently, your body may not respond to vitamin D as well, increasing the chance that you will not fully benefit from the vitamin D you produce through sun exposure or get from food and supplements. That could affect bone health, immune resilience, and other vitamin D dependent functions.

How to Use This Information

Your VDR genotype is one part of the picture. It does not determine your health on its own. Diet, sun exposure, supplement use, body weight, age, skin pigmentation, medications, and other genes all influence vitamin D status and outcomes. Use these results to guide conversations with your healthcare provider about testing, monitoring, and personalized strategies to maintain healthy vitamin D activity.

Genetic Interpretations

2 effect alleles (GG) — Reduced VDR efficiency

If you have the GG genotype for rs731236, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This pattern is associated with reduced VDR efficiency and a higher risk of functional vitamin D deficiency. Your VDR protein may not bind and activate vitamin D as effectively, which means even with normal blood levels of vitamin D you could experience reduced biological response.

  • Potential implications: increased risk for lower active vitamin D signaling, possible effects on bone mineralization, immune response, and muscle function.
  • What to consider: measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to assess status. Discuss with your healthcare provider whether a higher maintenance dose of vitamin D3 or more frequent monitoring is appropriate.
  • Recommended actions: optimize dietary vitamin D, ensure safe sun exposure, consider vitamin D3 supplementation under medical guidance, and review other factors that impact vitamin D metabolism such as body weight, gut health, and medications.
1 effect allele (GA) — Moderately reduced VDR activity

If you have the GA genotype for rs731236, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with moderately reduced VDR activity. Your receptor may function somewhat less efficiently than optimal, which could modestly reduce the biological response to vitamin D.

  • Potential implications: a mild increase in the chance of lower vitamin D responsiveness that may affect bone maintenance and immune support.
  • What to consider: check serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D if you have symptoms or risk factors, and discuss a targeted plan with your healthcare provider.
  • Recommended actions: ensure consistent dietary sources of vitamin D, use safe sun exposure practices, and consider a typical maintenance dose of vitamin D3 if testing shows insufficiency. Lifestyle adjustments that support vitamin D metabolism can be helpful.
0 effect alleles (AA) — Normal VDR function

If you have the AA genotype for rs731236, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This genotype is associated with normal VDR function and effective vitamin D utilization. Your receptor is expected to bind and activate vitamin D efficiently, allowing your body to make full use of vitamin D obtained from sunlight, food, or supplements.

  • Potential implications: typical vitamin D responsiveness. Standard public health recommendations for vitamin D intake and monitoring usually apply.
  • What to consider: routine vitamin D testing only if you have risk factors or symptoms. Maintain balanced intake from diet and safe sun exposure.
  • Recommended actions: follow general guidance for vitamin D-rich foods, consider fortified foods or supplements if dietary intake or sun exposure is limited, and review other health factors that affect vitamin D.

Dietary Recommendations

  • Include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and canned tuna several times per week. One serving can be a significant source of vitamin D.
  • Use vitamin D fortified foods like milk, plant milks, some yogurts, orange juice, and breakfast cereals when available.
  • Incorporate eggs, especially the yolks, which contain modest vitamin D. Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light provide plant-based vitamin D2.
  • Balance calcium and vitamin D intake together to support bone health. Include calcium-rich foods such as dairy, leafy greens, and fortified alternatives when needed.

Supplement Recommendations

  • Vitamin D3 is generally recommended over D2 for raising and maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Dose should be individualized based on baseline testing, age, body weight, season, and other health factors.
  • Common maintenance doses range from 600 to 2000 IU daily for many adults, but some people with low levels or reduced VDR activity may require higher supervised doses. Your healthcare provider can recommend testing and dosing.
  • When taking higher doses, periodic blood testing for 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium is recommended to ensure safety.

Lifestyle and Monitoring

  • Safe sun exposure supports natural vitamin D production. Short daily sun exposure to face, arms, and legs several times per week may be enough for some people but varies by skin type, latitude, season, and sunscreen use.
  • Maintain a healthy weight, because higher body fat can sequester vitamin D and lower circulating levels.
  • Address factors that impair absorption such as chronic gastrointestinal conditions, certain medications, or low dietary fat intake, since vitamin D is fat soluble.
  • If you are at risk of deficiency or have symptoms such as bone pain, muscle weakness, frequent infections, or mood changes, discuss testing with your healthcare provider. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the standard test for vitamin D status.

Practical Next Steps

  • Consider a baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D test if you have risk factors, symptoms, or a genotype that indicates reduced VDR efficiency.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider about whether to start or adjust a vitamin D3 supplement and how often to retest.
  • Make gradual diet and lifestyle changes to include vitamin D rich foods and safe sun exposure habits.
  • Keep a record of medications and health conditions that may affect vitamin D metabolism and share these with your provider.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational and intended to help you understand how genetic variation in the VDR gene can influence vitamin D activity. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplements, medications, or medical testing.