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At-home vitamin deficiency tests can help people understand if they have a vitamin deficiency. They often provide quick, confidential results online, and some include health consultations if levels fall outside typical ranges.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
People may wish to consider these factors before buying a test online:
The tested nutrients: Many companies offer comprehensive panels testing several vitamins and minerals. However, some tests only check the levels of certain vitamins. A person should pick the test that best suits their needs.
The collection method: Anyone uncomfortable drawing a finger-prick blood sample may prefer a test that relies on a saliva sample instead. However, many vitamin and mineral tests require a blood test.
Fasting: Some tests require a person to fast before taking a sample. A person should check the fasting period before taking the test. They may also require people to stop taking certain supplements for a few days before collecting a sample.
The timing of results: Some tests have shorter turnaround times, but these may be more expensive.
Price: Different at-home vitamin deficiency tests fit different budgets. Those that test for a wider range of vitamins may cost more.
Vitamin tests screen the levels of vitamins and nutrients in the blood. In-person tests will likely require a healthcare professional to draw the blood using a needle. At-home tests will provide a lancet for people to collect their own samples.
A person should speak with a doctor about their symptoms before getting a vitamin deficiency test.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that at-home tests can effectively detect health conditions and monitor existing ones. However, it warns people that they should not replace doctor’s appointments with at-home tests.
The most reputable companies selling at-home tests send customers’ samples to CLIA-certified labs. These are the labs that hospitals and doctor’s offices use, which may suggest the sample analysis will be as accurate as it is for tests people will get from a doctor.
However, people risk making mistakes or contaminating their samples when they collect them at home. Those uncomfortable collecting their sample may wish to visit an in-person testing center.
When a person develops a nutritional deficiency, the body may produce symptoms, some of which can go unnoticed. Though an at-home test should not substitute for a doctor’s or registered dietitian’s advice, it may indicate missing nutrients in a person’s diet.
A 2019 research review showed specific groups of people with a higher risk of developing vitamin or mineral deficiencies. The groups included:
undernourished people
older adults
pregnant people
adolescents
young children
The researchers write that addressing these deficiencies should include improved, more diverse diets and supplementation.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of a vitamin deficiency should speak with a doctor about getting tested, and discuss their results with them if they go ahead with a test.
For any further questions, all reputable at-home tests will have instructions and a customer care line.
Most vitamin deficiency tests require a blood sample. The company should send all necessary equipment, including a lancet, in the original package.
People will likely need to fill in a form detailing personal information. Then, they should use the lancet to collect a sample of blood.
The company should provide a return envelope with pre-paid shipping. After a person takes their sample, they should send the envelope off.
People will receive their results soon after, typically within one week of the lab receiving the samples. Depending on the company a person uses, they may need to log in or use an app to view their results.
Some companies may offer follow-up advice. Others may suggest contacting a healthcare professional for help interpreting the results.
If a test shows that a person has a vitamin deficiency, they must contact a doctor. A person may also wish to inform a doctor if their test does not show a particular deficiency.
If a person receives treatment from a doctor, they may wish to conduct the test again after their treatment ends to see how their vitamin levels change.
A person should consult a doctor before making health decisions based on the results of an at-home test.
People can test for vitamin deficiencies with blood tests. These tests may involve a lab technician taking blood from a vein in the arm or people taking finger-prick tests at home. Medical laboratory scientists will analyze a person’s blood sample and measure the levels of vitamins and minerals in the sample.
Yes, vitamin tests require a blood sample to check for vitamin deficiency.
A person can speak with a doctor or order an at-home vitamin deficiency test from companies such as LetsGetChecked, Everlywell, or myLAB Box to check their vitamin levels.
If a person shows any signs of a vitamin deficiency, such as fatigue, depression, or dry, brittle hair, they need to contact a doctor.
A doctor may order a test to check vitamin levels.
A complete blood count (CBC) can detect certain deficiencies, such as those in iron or vitamin B12.
Yes. Tests such as those from Labcorp and LetsGetChecked will show if a person has a vitamin B12 deficiency by testing the levels in their blood. Healthcare professionals carry out this test with a finger prick or a blood sample.
A full vitamin panel is also called a comprehensive vitamin deficiency blood panel. This is a test that measures multiple vitamin and mineral levels in the blood.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for health, and people typically get the vitamins they need through their diet. The 13 essential vitamins are vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, plus thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate.
Vitamin deficiencies can cause a range of different symptoms, and the symptoms will depend on the vitamin a person is deficient in.
People can take a blood test either at a doctor’s office or at home to find out if they have a vitamin deficiency.
The cost of a vitamin deficiency test will vary depending on whether a person gets it through a doctor’s office or a telehealth company. Their insurance coverage may also affect the price of their test. Telehealth companies typically charge around $50–$200 for vitamin tests.
At-home vitamin deficiency tests check levels of vitamins and minerals in a blood sample. They are generally convenient, but they can be expensive.
Anyone concerned about a deficiency should consider consulting a doctor, especially if a test returns a positive result. The doctor can check for underlying health conditions, perform further tests, and offer treatment if necessary.
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