What Happens During A Vitamin D Test
A vitamin D test is a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
Everlywell B Vitamins Test
Price: $89
This test from Everlywell measures three common B vitamin deficiencies: B6, B9 , and B12. You may consider this test if you eat mostly a plant-based diet or if youre experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, mood changes, and skin health concerns.
The Everlywell B Vitamins Test is blood-based. In your test kit, you will receive a lancet that takes a small amount of blood via your fingertip. You will then place the blood on the test card before sending it back.
Once you order and receive your kit, make sure you register online before sending your sample back. Everlywell uses CLIA-certified labs to process all samples for their home test kits, ensuring accuracy in their results.
After your test is processed, an independent, board certified medical doctor from your state of residence will review your results for quality and accuracy. Your results will then post to your confidential account.
As a bonus, Everlywell also hosts educational webinars related to the tests they offer, where customers may also submit questions.
The B Vitamins Test has mostly 5-star reviews on the companys website. One downside is the popularity of this test, as it tends to sell out quickly.
Who Should Take This Test
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that supports bone density, insulin production and immune function. This test is ideal for those who:
- Have osteoporosis or other bone-health problemsâ¹
- Work indoors and rarely spend time outside during the day¹
- Have conditions that affect fat absorption, including celiac disease or weight-loss surgery¹²
- Routinely take medications that interfere with vitamin D activity, including anticonvulsants and glucocorticoidsâ¶
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Why Do I Need A Test
There are several reasons for testing B-12, Your doctor may recommend if
- Youve been diagnosed with anemia.
- Any medical condition which effects the body and reduce the absorption of Vitamin B12
- On medications which hinders the absorption of Vitamin B12
- If you are on a very strict vegan diet
Also if you have the following symptoms
- Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
What Do The Results Mean
If the results show a deficiency in vitamin D, it means:
- You are not getting enough exposure to sunlight
- There is not enough vitamin D in your diet
- You might be having trouble absorbing vitamin D in your food
A vitamin D deficiency is usually treated with supplements and/or dietary changes.
If you have a high level of vitamin d or hypervitaminosis D, we suggest you stop taking the supplements. Too much vitamin D can cause damage to your organs and blood vessels. To learn what your results mean please talk to your doctor.
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What Are The Consequences Of Vitamin Deficiencies
While the exact health concerns vary by the type of nutritional deficiency you have, the consequences may go beyond feeling fatigued.
For example, an extremely low intake of iron could lead to anemia, and a long-term vitamin D deficiency could impact your bone health and overall inflammation in the body.
Why Is Vitamin D Important
This at-home vitamin D blood test lets you test for vitamin D deficiency or toxicity in the comfort of your own home with just a simple finger prick. But why does vitamin D matter in the first place?
Vitamin D plays a vital role in the bodyâs ability to regulate the absorption and levels of calcium and phosphorus. It also greatly influences your ability to maintain a healthy bone structure, reduce inflammation, and promote cell growth.
Commonly referred to as the âsunshine vitamin,â vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and is stored in the fatty tissues of the body, which is then released when not in direct sunlight. We typically get 50-90% of our vitamin D from the sunlight itself, with the remainder coming from our diet, where it is mostly found within fatty fish , egg yolks, and fortified dairy products.
Lack of vitamin D or severe vitamin D deficiency is also believed to cause an increased risk of serious illnesses like:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Muscle Weakness or Pain
Your results will contain your personal level of vitamin D and whether it is low, normal, or high as compared to someone who shares a similar demographic profile as you .
If your results indicate that you may have vitamin D insufficiency, we can provide guidance and general recommendations to help improve low vitamin D levels. We might also suggest other lifestyle changes that are often helpful in getting your bodyâs levels within the recommended range.
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How Often Should I Test My Vitamin D Levels
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, regular testing may help you and your healthcare professional determine whether your treatment plan is working or if it should be adjusted.
But research suggests that you should wait before retesting to see if your levels have changed after your treatment plan. Testing too soon probably wont show any changes to your vitamin D levels and may lead to unnecessary stress and medical expenses.
Some experts say that if you are concerned about your vitamin D or are at high risk for low vitamin D levels, testing them twice a year in the spring and again in the fall can alert you to any changes and help ensure they continue to stay within a healthy range.
But theres no research to support any benefits to screening for vitamin D deficiency, and people may experience added costs and stress by checking their levels at home. Contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your vitamin D levels.
How To Buy A Vitamin D Blood Test
Vitamin D tests are also included as part of our Total home test kits which also offers 32 other key health readings from immunity, bone and muscle health through to liver and kidney health risks. We provide great value with all our home test kits, with additional extras such as your own MyWellness results portal and 24/7 GP helpline access for a year being included with all our home test kits.
Did you know you could also get a vitamin D test as part of our more comprehensive Essential Energy & Fatigue Plus plan? It consists of an in-depth, face-to-face health check with a Health Assessment Specialists, which you can easily book online at one of over 2,000 mobile clinics available nationwide. You will receive a wide array of other key health markers and a detailed results report sent through the post.
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Vitamin D And Disease Prevention
A 2008 study that was published in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine was able to show that the risk of death from all causes can be decreased by 26 percent with vitamin D supplementation. The study tracked 13,331 healthy people for nine years and correlated their causes of death and their vitamin D levels – it was found that those with the highest levels of vitamin D had a 26 percent lower chance of dying. The researchers said “Our results make it much more clear that all men and women concerned about thier overall health should more closely monitor their blood levels of vitamin D, and make sure they have enough.”
Research has shown that the following diseases and conditions may be linked to low vitamin D levels or vitamin D may help reduce the symptoms of:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Diabetes type 1 and 2
View a sample lab report Vitamin D Test Lab Results
1. Complete Test Requisition and consent form.
2. Take Blood Collection Device from foil pouch and affix barcode label to the top/lid of green device so it will show when closed.
3. Wash hands with warm water and dry thoroughly. Clean with alcohol pad.
4. Remove cap from lancet and hold lancet steady, press down on side of fingertip pad
5. Drip blood from fingertip to fill the middle circle of collection device – about 4 drops
6. Allow the blood to soak into the device for about 3 minutes
Q: Can I have my results sent to my doctor’s or business’ address instead of my home address?
How Can You Test Your Vitamin D Levels
Typically, vitamin D levels are measured via routine blood work. But many Americans are delaying check-ups to maintain social distancing. An at-home test is an option to keep tabs on your vitamin D levels.
“Over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in vitamin D testing and nearly a dozen different test options are available,” Stefano Guandalini, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at UChicago Medicine, tells Verywell. “The overwhelming majority are self-collected blood tests including at-home finger prick options like imaware.”
Everlywell, Drop, and myLAB Box are other brands that offer at-home vitamin D tests. Each relies on a finger prick blood sample.
Any at-home testing should be done by individuals who know or feel they may be at risk for low levels, Guandalini says. These groups may include:
- people with autoimmune conditions
- people with gastrointestinal disorders resulting in malabsorption
Depending on the company you purchase from, you’ll experience similar practices to that of a traditional lab you would visit in-person, she says. However, user error is always a possibility with at-home tests. If you are considering one, Shaw says to make sure you follow all protocols prior to testing.
Appointments for walk-in blood tests are also available through laboratory locations such as LabCorp and others, Guandalini says.
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What Do The Results Of My At Home Vitamin D Test Mean
If your results show a deficiency in Vitamin D, it may mean you are:
- Not getting enough exposure to sunlight
- Not getting enough Vitamin D in your diet
- Having trouble absorbing Vitamin D in your food
A low result may also mean your body is having trouble using the vitamin as it should, and may indicate kidney or liver disease.
If your results show you have an excess of Vitamin D, it is most likely due to taking too many vitamin pills or other supplements. Too much Vitamin D can cause damage to your organs and blood vessels.
To learn more about what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.
How To Keep Your Vitamin D Levels Healthy
If you do discover you have a vitamin D deficiency or low amounts in your body, you should always seek the advice of your GP, who can help you get to the root of the cause and advise treatment.
Vitamin D supplements are widely available if you worry that your diet or other lifestyle factors may eventually lead to depleted vitamin D levels.
Most multivitamins contain vitamin D too, and it doesnt hurt to pre-empt any potential vitamin D issues by supplementing, especially if you dont eat many Vitamin D-rich foods.
The UK government recommends that breastfeeding babies all the way up to 5 year old children should be given a vitamin D supplement: 8.5-10mcg for under 1 year old and 10mcg for the rest.5
Children aged 5 years + and adults should also consider taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months.
You can also easily increase the vitamin D in your body by eating some or all of the following:
- Oily fish, like salmon and sardines
- Fish and algae oil
- Fortified breakfast cereals
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What Is A Vitamin D Test
The body gains vitamin D through sun exposure on the skin, vitamin D supplements, and certain foods such as eggs, oily fish and fortified cereals.
Vitamin D needs to go through a transformation process in the liver in order to convert into a form that the body can use. This new form is a chemical called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, also called calcidiol. Therefore assessing 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D is the most accurate way to see how much vitamin D your body has, as it is the amount that the body has available to use.
An at-home vitamin D test is a simple finger prick blood test that will test whether your vitamin D levels are too low or too high. If your vitamin D levels are high, it can cause bone and kidney problems. Toxicity is rare and usually caused by taking too many supplements containing vitamin D.
Vitamin D Home Test Kit
We teamed up with GrassrootsHealth to fight Vitamin D deficiency across the globe. We now offer home testing kits so you can monitor your levels without ever leaving your house!
Each test kit includes:
- Enrollment in the worlds largest Vitamin D project: D*action
- Access to My Data My Answers for insight into how your Vitamin D levels affect your health
- 2 lancets for safe blood extraction
- 1 Vitamin D blood spot card
- 1 envelope pad, 1 band aid, and 1 alcohol swab
- Vitamin D literature
Please Note:
- The Vitamin D portion of this test kit is part of a research project, and participation is required upon purchase, including filling out a questionnaire. Registration information and questionnaires may be reviewed prior to purchasing at www.grassrootshealth.net/projects. No refunds available for this product.
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Why Measure Vitamin D
Every cell of our body depends on signals from vitamin D. Vitamin D should be called a hormone, not a vitamin. Low levels of vitamin D cause short and long-term health problems. It plays a major role in the daily function of our bodies on a cellular level. From brain to bowels to immunity, Vitamin D is crucial to our health.
How Much Does A Vitamin D Test Cost
Vitamin D tests vary in price depending on the brand a person chooses and the features a product comes with.
A person can also save money and subscribe to a membership plan if they need to get tested every month or every 6 months.
Also, most companies do not accept insurance coverage. However, buyers may be able to provide an insurance claim or check whether their insurance provider may help reimburse some of the costs involved in home testing.
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What Is Vitamin D
There are mainly two forms of Vitamin D namely vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 are present in foods like breakfast cereals, milk, and other dairy items. We get Vitamin D3 from exposure to sunlight and is present in foods like eggs, fatty fish .
When we get vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 from natural resources, it reaches our bloodstream and are changed into a form of vitamin D called 25 hydroxyvitamin D .
Benefits Of Proper Vitamin D Levels:
Vitamin D is essential for life. Our bodies use it to build and maintain strong bones, target infections, repair cells, and think more clearly. But thats not all. Every cell in our body has receptors for vitamin D, meaning it can affect virtually everything that happens inside our cells. Research shows that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D live better for longer, with immune and cardiovascular systems that function stronger.
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Whats The Normal Range For Vitamin D Levels
Medical and scientific experts have determined the approximate range for adequate or normal vitamin D levels:
- A vitamin D level less than about 30 nanograms/milliliter is considered inadequate by the Endocrine Society.
- On the other end of the range, a vitamin D level above 100 ng/mL is often viewed as too high. Thatâs because vitamin D levels higher than 100 ng/mL increase the risk of hypercalcemia .
- Itâs important to keep in mind, however, that optimal vitamin D levels vary from person to person âso itâs a good idea to share vitamin D test results with your healthcare provider.
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What is an At Home Vitamin D test?
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to weaker overall immunity and heightened risk for depression. There are two forms of Vitamin D that are important for nutrition. These are Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 mainly comes from fortified foods like breakfast cereals, milk, and other dairy items. Vitamin D3 is made by your own body when you are exposed to sunlight. It is also found in some foods, including eggs and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
In your bloodstream, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are changed into a form of Vitamin D called 25 hydroxyvitamin D, also known as 25D. A Vitamin D blood test measures the level of 25D in your blood. Abnormal levels of Vitamin D can indicate bone disorders, nutrition problems, organ damage, or other medical conditions.
Included: 1 Vitamin D Testing kit, and a pre-addressed return envelope
Why do I need an At Home Vitamin D Test?
The myLAB Box at home vitamin D test screening kit is an excellent screening test to monitor your levels of Vitamin D to maintain strong bones and teeth, regulate your immune system, heart, lung, muscle and joint health, and prevent depression.
What Do I Need to do to Prepare for the At Home Vitamin D Test?
You dont need any special preparations for an at home Vitamin D test.
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