Nutrients. Weve rounded up the best vitamin deficiency tests on the market today. LetsGetChecked offers speedy results in as little as two to five days after the sample is received by the lab. 2020;12(1):236. doi:10.3390/nu12010236. A 2019 research review showed specific groups of people with a higher risk of developing vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Instead, it comes with everything you need to take your blood sample at home. According to the CDC, the most common deficiencies are in vitamin B6, iron, and vitamin D. Therefore, a person may wish to test for these vitamins. Are At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests Accurate? Fish oil may have various health benefits, but does the science prove this? The test measures blood levels of three key vitamins folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, and vitamin D to determine whether youre meeting your needs. The theory behind this at-home is that baking soda combined with stomach acid produces carbon dioxide (C02), which will . However, some vitamin deficiencies are caused by underlying conditions that may disrupt your ability to absorb micronutrients, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's. Sample: Blood. These vitamins are particularly important for the transportation of oxygen throughout your body, vision and keeping DNA strong and stable. Rootines Blood Vitamin Test provides an excellent value, checking the levels of four key vitamins for roughly $115. This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features. . If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. The needle is small, so it's relatively painless. The best vitamin test depends on what you are looking for. Evidence Based 8 Common Signs You're Deficient in Vitamins Symptoms of vitamin deficiency include brittle hair and nails, mouth ulcers, hair loss, scaly skin patches, and more. The products listed below have all passed our vetting process. Ankar A, et al. Or, they can order an at-home test and complete the test themselves. The test requires a finger prick and, according to the Rootine website, your results will be ready around three days after the company receives your sample. A person can contact a doctor, who will order the test and help the person provide a sample. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. A doctor wont typically check for nutritional deficiencies at annual physicals unless you specifically ask for these tests. 6 Best At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests of 2023 - Medical News Today By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. People may wish to consider these factors before buying a test online: Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 20202025 indicate that a person must aim to meet their vitamin and mineral needs through their diet, sometimes they may need a multivitamin to supplement their intake. Without a subscription, the test price increases. A few users note that the results were slower than expected. On that note, however, user error can come into play when using any at-home test. Learn more today. Getty Images/Christopher Hopefitch A quick look at. Check with a doctor before using any at-home tests that require a finger prick if you: Many vitamin deficiency tests can be conducted within the comfort of your home and then submitted to a lab for processing, while others require going to a nearby lab so a technician can take your sample. Additionally, some testing methods may be more reliable. These ice packs keep the sample fresh for testing. (2019). Lancet Glob Health. Who should take a nutrient deficiency test? While there are other quality at-home vitamin D tests on the market, we like that this test from Everlywell measures levels of both vitamin D andC-reactive protein (CRP). A quick look at our picks for at-home vitamin deficiency tests, Healthlines picks for at-home vitamin deficiency tests, high CRP levels can indicate inflammation, How we chose at-home vitamin deficiency tests, A comparison of the best at-home vitamin deficiency tests, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). If you are having any severe symptoms, you should always consult with a health care professional. Vitamin deficiencies are startlingly common worldwide. Vitamin D in the older population: A consensus statement. Research shows that vitamin B6 is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies, along with iron and vitamins B12, C, and D. Other common vitamin and mineral deficiencies include: Testing is the only definitive way to determine whether you have a nutrient deficiency. However, its important to check with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements. At-home vitamin deficiency tests can check for deficiencies, but a person should only make health decisions based on their results with input from a doctor. It may also be a good option for people who are concerned about bone health or at risk of vitamin D deficiency. This test gets our top spot for the best at-home vitamin test overall because of its valueoffering testing of four biomarkers for only $115and the quality of its labs. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. A vitamin D test is a blood test. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting serious side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. The Food and Drug Administration has a list of approved at-home tests, and anyone concerned about accuracy may prefer to use one. The labs that LetsGetChecked uses to read its test results are CLIA- and CAP-certified, helping to ensure result accuracy. If not, you're not alone. A doctor may also refer you to a registered dietitian who can help design a meal plan for your dietary needs. The specific symptoms of a vitamin deficiency will depend on which vitamin deficiency a person has. However, it is important to consider the pros and cons of these services. Verywell Health / Design by Amelia Manley, Stevens GA, Beal T, Mbuya MNN, et al. Since vitamin D is the most common deficiency, learn what an endocrinologist recommends to do to reach optimal levels. Research published in 2020 found that 45% of the population had inadequate levels of vitamin A and 95% of the population didnt get enough vitamin D both important nutrients for immune health. They can help you decide whether you need further testing, dietary changes, or supplementation. Its better to get essential nutrients from foods, but a doctor may recommend supplements if your diet lacks certain vitamins and minerals. We looked at a total of 10 nutrient testing services, but excluded four because their services were not exclusively at-home tests, or because the tests were not CLIA- or CAP-certified. Comparing At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests, Ordering Your Vitamin Deficiency Test Kit, 9 At-Home Syphilis Tests We Recommend in 2023, Our 7 Picks for At-Home Yeast Infection Tests of 2023, Our 7 Picks for At-Home HPV Tests of 2023, 7 At-Home Testosterone Test Kits We Recommend in 2023, At-Home Fertility Tests to Help With Your Reproductive Health, At-Home Bacterial Vaginosis Testing Kits Help You Screen at Home, health spending account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and women of reproductive age worldwide: a pooled analysis of individual-level data from population-representative surveys, A review of micronutrients and the immune systemworking in harmony to reduce the risk of infection, Vitamin D: Fact sheet for health professionals, Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: a narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence, Role of vitamins in skin health: a systematic review, Hair, nails, and skin: differentiating cutaneous manifestations of micronutrient deficiency, Vitamin D deficiency in a multiethnic healthy control cohort and altered immune response in vitamin D deficient European-American healthy controls. Are At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests Worth It? Some signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies include: If youre experiencing any of these problems, a home vitamin test offers one easy indicator without needing to go to a doctor to have bloodwork done. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. A complete blood count is the most common screening test. Necessity How to choose Vitamin D 101 Deficiency When to. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Whether testing for vitamin deficiencies at home is more affordable largely depends on insurance coverage. Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. Contents What Is A Vitamin Deficiency Test? Vitamins and minerals. But they're not all created equal, and some still require a lab visit. *Price is accurate as of the date of publication. It is a finger-prick test that the company states takes 5 minutes to complete. Bowel incontinence and/or urinary incontinence. Buy LabCorp: $115.00. The brand is transparent in its guidelines; if you're under 22 years old, you'll not receive results for vitamin B12. Alternatively, you can join the EverlyWell membership program for $25 per month to receive one health test each month. The high-level technology uses bioresonance, which compares the light frequency of the hair sample to the electromagnetic frequencies of organic and inorganic matter. Nutr Clin Pract. Best Vitamin Deficiency Tests Of 2023 - Forbes If your results require immediate attention, a healthcare professional will contact you by phone or email. They must also place ice packs that the company provides in the freezer for 5 hours before they take a sample. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Everlywell has a customer rating of 2.0 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Its important to note that LetsGetCheckeds vitamin B12 test is not suitable for those younger than 22 years, and, as a result, customers under 22 will not receive a vitamin B12 test result. There are several types of iron tests, some of which can be done at home or through a lab near you. A low red blood cell count or a pattern of enlarged red blood cells (megaloblastic anemia) is a common sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin Deficiency Tests: Why They Could Be A Gamechanger for Your Health It is always best to confirm at-home results with a healthcare provider who can provide a big-picture assessment of whether you are vitamin-deficient, and whether adjusting your diet, adding supplements or other adjustments is the best way to address the issue. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. How Do You Check Vitamin Levels From Home? - LetsGetChecked Anyone whos curious about their nutrient levels can use one, but it may be best to use if youre experiencing symptoms that may be related to nutrient deficiency or if you already suspect that youre not getting enough of some key vitamins and minerals. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. At-home vitamin deficiency tests can help pinpoint what youre missing. Vitamin B12 supplementation for deficiency resulting from a vegetarian or vegan diet is one such example, though there are additional vegetarian food sources of vitamin B12 to help prevent this. Ferritin, cellular iron storage and regulation. If youre concerned about iron deficiency, keep in mind that some other methods of checking your iron levels are potentially more accurate than a ferritin test. Jaime Schehr, N.D., R.D., is a nationally recognized expert in integrative medicine and nutrition, based in New York City. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Hanif N, et al. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. While vitamin E deficiency is rare, it can be a sign of underlying conditions such as Crohns disease and chronic pancreatitis. Unlike the Labcorp Vitamin Deficiency Test, this test from LetsGetChecked doesnt require going to a lab. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. When choosing a home nutrient test, consider the following factors to find the right one: If youre ready to get started with your vitamin deficiency test, here are the steps youll follow for mostregardless of the brand or test you purchase: These directions may differ slightly between brands, so thoroughly read the instructions and supporting materials that come in your kit. 4. Reverse the benefit of that specific vitamin. Some tests evaluate just one vitamin level, while others take a more comprehensive look at your deficiencies. A vitamin deficiency will deplete these processes and can lead to serious complications. It can take up to 2 weeks to get results. You may be interested in taking a vitamin or mineral deficiency test if you suspect you might not be getting enough nutrients from your diet. The Vitamin K Blood Test measures vitamin K levels in the blood to screen for a vitamin K deficiency and assess the risk of blood clotting, bone metabolism, and hemorrhagic disorders. The most comprehensive test is by 5Strands, but the test with the best integration into care is Rootine. That said, it's always best to discuss these results with your doctor. Many people take vitamin supplements to improve their health, but some don't get enough vitamins from their diet. Read on for more about the oils and options to consider. Vitamin A supplements come in many different forms, but a person should check with their doctor which form and dosage will best suit them. The results will reveal only the nutrients you are deficient in, so you won't see any levels listed for those that are within "normal" range. Vitamin Deficiency Test - What you Need to Know | Ada What to do with vitamin deficiency test results. They're subject to the same clinical and accuracy standards and if performed correctly will give the same level of accuracy. Anyone who thinks they may have an imbalance in vitamin or mineral levels should speak with a healthcare professional. However, it is recommended to discuss any symptoms you may be having with a health care professional to determine the appropriate test needed.
