Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide. A person can check their vitamin D levels themselves with an at-home vitamin D test, and many of these tests are of the same quality as those that medical professionals use.
A quick look at the best at-home vitamin D tests
This article discusses how at-home vitamin D tests work, how reliable they are, and which products to consider. It also looks at when a person might consider getting medical advice on vitamin D deficiency.
What is the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test?
Vitamin D tests involve taking a blood sample, determining the vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. This type of test may suit individuals with chronic conditions, such as asthma, psoriasis, or an autoimmune disease.
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 the blood. This is because 25-hydroxy vitamin D is a better indicator of a person’s vitamin D levels and stays in the bloodstream for longer, making it easier to detect.
If a person has a vitamin D test at a doctor’s office, the doctor will take a small blood sample from the arm using a needle. If a person takes a test at home, they will take a blood sample using a finger prick test.
Learn more about the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test.
Are at-home tests reliable?
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, a person taking a test at home must follow all of the test manufacturer’s instructions to avoid invalidating the results.
A person can check whether the lab that processes their chosen test has accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and certification from the
Who should take a vitamin D test?
Doctors may suggest taking a vitamin D test to monitor bone conditions, especially if a person has symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. These may include:
- bone weakness
- bone softness
- bone malformation
- fractures
Further, people with a high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency may also consider buying a vitamin D test. This may include people who have:
How to take a vitamin D test
A test measures the vitamin D levels in a blood sample. Here is how it works:
- An individual first decides whether to order an online test to do at home or visit a doctor’s office.
- At a doctor’s office or lab, the specialist uses a phlebotomist to draw a blood sample from the person’s arm.
- At home, a person needs to use the finger prick lancet they receive to collect a small blood sample from their finger and send it to the lab.
- At the lab, a scientist measures the 25-OH D levels and submits the results.
- A person then gets their results through an online portal or via email. If a person took their test at a doctor’s office, they can check in with the doctor to get their results.
How we chose the best vitamin D tests
Best vitamin D tests
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Comparing the best vitamin D tests
The following table compares the vitamin D tests in this article on price, turnaround time, and more.
Are there any risks to vitamin D tests?
There are some risks to getting vitamin D tests. The main risk is that a person may collect a sample incorrectly, leading to an invalid test result.
Test samples may get lost in the post, or, rarely, laboratories may mix up results. However, using tracked mail delivery services and laboratories that follow regulations will minimize these risks.
Additionally, people may bruise themselves when collecting a sample. People who do not feel confident collecting their own sample may wish to ask a friend or family member, or go to a healthcare professional to conduct the test.
How to choose
Some things a person may consider when looking for an at-home test include:
- Cost: Some tests are more cost-effective than others, so a person may consider their available budget when choosing a test.
- Certifications and accreditations: Individuals should check for CAP, CLIA, and ISO certifications.
- Reviews and reputation: Checking independent reviews from sites such as Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help a person make an informed decision about a company’s reputation.
About vitamin D
People can receive vitamin D from
When a person is out in sunlight, UVB rays convert to vitamin D. This conversion only happens when a person is outside, as UVB rays cannot travel through glass. Additionally, the weather, time of day, and skin melanin content affect how much vitamin D a person gains through the sun.
This process generates the inactive form of vitamin D,
The inactive version of vitamin D, 25-OH D lasts around 14 days in the bloodstream. In contrast, the active version becomes undetectable within a few hours. This is why the majority of vitamin D tests measure the level of 25-OH D in the bloodstream.
Vitamin D from supplements is often in the form of lanolin from sheep or animal-free alternative lichen. While this vitamin is not plentiful in food, mushrooms are one of the best sources of vitamin D through diet.
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin the body needs to carry out vital functions, such as maintaining bones and teeth and helping the immune system fight bacteria and viruses.
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 people 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.
Learn about the best sunscreens.
When to speak with a doctor
Some people may be at a higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.
These 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:
People at risk of a vitamin D deficiency or with symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency may wish to consult a doctor for possible monitoring and further tests.
Frequently asked questions about vitamin D test kits
Below are some frequently asked questions about home vitamin D test kits:
What is the test for vitamin D?
The vitamin D test is a blood test that a person 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 good indicator of a person’s levels.
What are the signs of low vitamin D?
Many people
In children, symptoms of low vitamin D may include lethargy, irritability, bone changes, fractures, and delayed development.
What is the normal range of vitamin D level by age?
For adults, the
- Low: 30 nmol/l or 12 ng/mL or below.
- Adequate: 50 nmol/l or 20 ng/mL or below.
- High: 125 nmol/l or 50 ng/mL or below.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), the range for children should be 50 nmol/l or over. Inadequate vitamin D would be 30–50 nmol/l, and a vitamin D deficiency would lie at under 30 nmol/l.
Learn more about vitamin D levels.
What is a normal vitamin D level in blood?
Doctors measure vitamin D deficiencies in nanomoles per liter (nmol/l) or nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). The current staging is
- Deficiency: Below 30 nmol/l or 12 ng/ml.
- Inadequate levels: 30–50 nmol/l or 12–20 ng/ml.
- Adequate levels: 50–125 nmol/l or 20–50 ng/ml.
- High levels: Above 125 nmol/l or 50 ng/ml.
How can I increase my vitamin D levels?
The body is able to make vitamin D naturally when a person exposes it to the sun. However, people who are older, live further north, or have a darker skin tone may not be able to create enough vitamin D.
Spending
People can also use vitamin D supplements to increase their vitamin levels. The NHS recommends taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D supplements every day during the fall and winter.
Summary
Vitamin D is essential for vital bodily functions, and low vitamin D levels can have widespread effects on the body.
Several at-home vitamin D tests are available online that provide people with a convenient and comfortable way to check their vitamin D levels.
People who experience symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or receive test results indicating they may be deficient in vitamin D can consider talking with a doctor for treatment advice.
