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A vitamin D test is also called a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. It can help you check your vitamin D levels at home. Many of these tests are of the same quality as those that medical professionals use.
This article discusses how at-home vitamin D tests work, how reliable they are, and which products to consider. It also looks at when you might consider getting medical advice on vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D tests involve taking a blood sample to measure the vitamin D levels in your bloodstream. This type of test may suit you if you live with a chronic condition, such as asthma, psoriasis, or an autoimmune disease.
Why take a vitamin D blood test?
Doctors may suggest taking a vitamin D test to monitor bone conditions, especially if you have symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. These may include:
- bone weakness
- bone softness
- bone malformation
- fractures
You may also consider a vitamin D test if you are at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. You may be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency if you have:
- obesity
- limited sunlight exposure
- darker skin tone
- osteoporosis
Risks to consider
There are some risks to getting vitamin D tests. The main risk is that you may collect a sample incorrectly, leading to an invalid test result. If you do not feel confident collecting your own sample, going to a healthcare professional to get a vitamin D test may be a better option.
There is also a risk that your test samples will get lost in the mail, or, rarely, laboratories may mix up results. However, using tracked mail delivery services and laboratories that follow regulations can minimize these risks.
The following table compares the vitamin D tests in this article on price, turnaround time, and whether consultations are available.
| Tests | Price | Results time | Consultation after results |
|---|---|---|---|
| LetsGetChecked | $89 | 2 to 5 days | available |
| Everlywell | $49 | 5 to 7 business days | live group webinar |
| myLAB Box | $89 | 2 to 5 days | free consultation |
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in
CLIA-certified labs. This means they follow state and federal regulations. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that suit a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
There are two forms of vitamin D in the blood: 25-hydroxy vitamin D, or calcidiol, and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, or calcitriol. Tests will measure the amount of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in your blood. This is because 25-hydroxy vitamin D is a better indicator of your vitamin D levels and stays in the bloodstream for longer, making it easier to detect.
If you have a vitamin D test at a doctor’s office, the doctor will take a small blood sample from the arm using a needle. If you take a test at home, you will take a blood sample using a finger-prick test.
Learn more about the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test.
Some things you should consider when looking for an at-home test include:
- Cost: At-home testing can be expensive, so consider your budget and whether it could be more affordable to get a test with a doctor who accepts your insurance.
- Certifications and accreditations: You should always check for CAP, CLIA, and ISO certifications to make sure the company you are buying from will send your sample to reputable and safe labs.
- Reviews and reputation: Checking independent reviews from sites such the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help a person make an informed decision about a company’s reputation.
According to a
Although the article states that most people with a vitamin D deficiency will not experience symptoms, some people do.
Another important thing to consider is the source of vitamin D. The overview suggests you should spend 20 minutes a day in the sun. However, this also brings risks of premature aging and skin cancer.
A person should always use sunscreen when outside to protect the skin against the sun’s harmful effects.
The body makes vitamin D naturally when you expose it to the sun. However, people who are older, live further north, or have a dark skin tone may not be able to create enough vitamin D.
Spending
You can also use vitamin D supplements to increase your vitamin levels. The British National Health Service (NHS) recommends taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D supplements every day during the fall and winter.
You should speak with a doctor about vitamin D deficiency if you have symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency or if you have conditions that put you at a higher risk of developing one.
Situations include people with insufficient intake of foods containing vitamin D and malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
Symptoms that may indicate a vitamin D deficiency include:
- frequent infections
- muscle weakness, aches, or cramps
- bone and joint pain
- fractures
- fatigue
- mood changes
- depression
The vitamin D test is a blood test that you can get done at a doctor’s office or at home. It will determine the amount of vitamin D in the bloodstream. The best test to get is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test because it is a suitable indicator of your levels.
Many people will not experience symptoms from low vitamin D. However, some symptoms may develop due to secondary conditions that chronic or severe vitamin D deficiency causes. These conditions can include rickets, osteoporosis, and hyperparathyroidism.
In children, symptoms of low vitamin D may include lethargy, irritability, bone changes, fractures, and delayed development.
You will take a vitamin D and a vitamin D3 test in the same way.
Doctors measure vitamin D deficiencies in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) or nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The current staging is as follows:
• Deficiency: Below 30 nmol/L or 12 ng/mL.
• Inadequate levels: 30 to 50 nmol/L or 2 to 20 ng/mL.
• Adequate levels: 50 to 125 nmol/L or 20 to 50 ng/mL.
• High levels: Above 125 nmol/L or 50 ng/mL.
Samples from at-home tests go through the same lab processing as those from medical professionals in a doctor’s office or clinic. The validation process for at-home testing is the same as for traditional testing that takes place in a lab and clinic.
However, if you take a test at home, you must follow all the test manufacturer’s instructions to avoid invalidating the results.
You can check whether the lab that processes your chosen test has accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and certification from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). You can also check whether the lab’s manufacturing facilities have International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification.
Vitamin D test results may list vitamin D as 25 hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D. This is because the liver changes vitamin D into 25(OH)D so your body can use it.
No, a complete blood count (CBC) test does not test for vitamin D. It tests for red and white blood cells and platelets.
Several at-home vitamin D tests are available online that offer you a convenient and comfortable way to check your vitamin D levels. They can cost between $50 and $90.
Vitamin D is essential for vital bodily functions, and low vitamin D levels can have widespread effects on the body.
If you experience symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or receive test results indicating you may be deficient in vitamin D, you should speak with a doctor for treatment advice.