Vitamin D test

What are the health benefits of maintaining good vitamin D levels?

Good levels of Vitamin D help to maintain:

• Bone and teeth health and the prevention of osteoporosis
• Muscle and nerve health
• The immune system
• Mood and immunity

What is a vitamin D test kit and how does it work?

Vitamin D is essential for preventing osteoporosis, maintaining good bone health, your immune system, and regulating mood. If you lack energy, often feel rundown or tired, are over the age of 65, spend most of your time indoors, or have dark skin, you may be more likely to have low vitamin D. Use our easy and convenient finger-prick blood test to check your vitamin D levels at home. Take this test before taking any other medications, vitamin D supplements or minerals, and avoid taking biotin supplements for two days before the test. Vitamin D testing is used to check you have enough vitamin D in your body to maintain normal bodily functions.

Understanding your vitamin D test results

The Vitamin D test kit checks for specific biomarkers in your blood. These include:

• Vitamin D, produced by your skin when exposed to sunshine. Before your body can use vitamin D produced by sun exposure, it must be converted to another form of vitamin D, 25hydroxyvitamin D 25 (OH)D. Most vitamin D blood tests measure the level of 25(OH)D in your blood

How to use an at-home vitamin D test kit

You can take our Vitamin D Blood Test in the comfort of your home using our finger-prick blood test kit. We’ll send you everything you need, including instructions and a pre-paid return envelope for your blood sample.

What are the benefits of the vitamin D blood test?

• The home test kits are assembled within the UK
• All test kits are security sealed with confidential health test results
• All laboratory testing is performed in an ISO:15189 accredited clinical laboratory

Frequently asked questions about vitamin D tests

What does vitamin D do?

Vitamin D controls the absorption of calcium and phosphate by your body. It’s vital for the maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, and muscles, and plays a vital role in immune function and mental health. Vitamin D is important for pregnant women, breastfed babies, and children under five, for the prevention of conditions such as rickets.

Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency?

• The elderly
• People with darker skin
• People who are very overweight, have obesity or have had gastric bypass surgeries
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Anyone who spends a lot of time indoors
• People with certain medical conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
• People with osteoporosis, osteomalacia, or Paget’s disease

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

Symptoms of low vitamin D levels include fatigue, muscle weakness, aches and bone pain, depression and frequent illnesses.

What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, produced mostly through sunlight exposure. Some vitamin D is also obtained from food. Sources include oily fish, egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified foods.

How much vitamin D do I need?

The recommended intake for adults and children over the age of four is 10 mcgs of vitamin D daily.

What is the normal range for vitamin D?

Currently there is no agreement on an ‘optimal’ vitamin D level, but a level below 50 nmol/L is generally considered insufficient.

Is a vitamin D test known by any other names?

Vitamin D tests are also sometimes referred to as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, cholecalciferol test, ergocalciferol test, calcidiol test, vitamin D2 test, or a vitamin D3 test.

How does the weather affect vitamin D levels?

During the autumn and winter months it is harder to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from time spent outdoors, causing your risk of a deficiency to be greater. Some areas of the UK are also sunnier than others, so where you live can affect your levels of vitamin D.

What does a vitamin D test measure?

Most vitamin D blood tests measure the level of 25(OH)D (25hydroxyvitamin D) in your blood.

When should I test my vitamin D levels?

You may want to get tested if you’re in a high risk group, or 3–6 months after starting treatment.

How accurate are at-home vitamin D test kits?

The accuracy of at-home vitamin D test kits vary and are not a substitute for seeing your GP. If you are unsure about your results speak to your doctor.

How long does it take to get results from an at-home vitamin D test?

Your Vitamin D test results will be available within one working day of receiving your sample at the laboratory.

What happens if my vitamin D levels are too low?

Low levels of Vitamin D can lead to a loss of bone density, osteoporosis and fractures. Severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children and other diseases.

Do I need a prescription to order an at-home vitamin D test kit?

No. A prescription is not required to order an at home Vitamin D test kit. Simply go to our section on health test kits to order yours today.

How often should I retest my vitamin D levels?

You don’t need to check your Vitamin D levels regularly, but you may want to get tested if you’re in a risk group, or 3–6 months after starting treatment.