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A vitamin deficiency test can reveal if you’re low on folate, iron, vitamin B12, and more. But you may need guidance to interpret the results. Read on to see our dietitian’s take on some of the best vitamin deficiency tests.
If you eat a balanced diet and don’t have an underlying health condition that affects nutrient absorption, you likely don’t have a nutritional deficiency.
But if you’re concerned about not getting enough nutrients, you may consider taking a vitamin deficiency test at home. These typically require a small blood sample, come with mail-back packaging, and yield results within a week.
Read on to learn how vitamin deficiency tests work and the ones we recommend to help inform your next steps.
collection?
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• copper
• selenium
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• folate
• vitamin D
- Nutrients measured: We looked for tests that check for common vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
- Testing methods: The tests we chose use a reliable testing method (a finger prick or blood sample instead of saliva samples).
- Lab and clinician credentials: We selected vitamin deficiency tests that use labs that meet the
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards and offer you the ability to verify the credentials of the company’s health professionals who review the results. - Cost: We considered overall quality for the price. Most vitamin deficiency tests aren’t covered by insurance, but many accept health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) cards.
- Ease of access: To help you streamline the process, we included options that allow you to test at home without obtaining a doctor’s order for a full blood test for vitamins and minerals deficiencies. You can then share your results with a medical professional.
- Reviews: The tests on our list have mostly positive customer reviews and anecdotal experiences.
If you’re not sure which test is best for you, here are some things to consider:
- Nutrients: Each kit tests for levels of various nutrients, so evaluate which ones are most important based on your needs.
- Follow-up: Some testing kits include follow-up support and guidance from a medical professional after you receive your results, while others recommend sharing the results with a doctor.
- Testing method: Be sure to consider which testing method you prefer. Though most tests involve collecting a sample via a finger prick, others may use saliva samples. And some still require a lab visit.
- Accreditation: It’s important to look for companies that send samples to an accredited lab, which can help ensure accuracy and quality.
- Price: Testing kits can vary quite a bit in price, and some may recommend testing multiple times over a longer period to monitor your levels. For this reason, it’s important to keep your budget in mind when shopping.
If you eat a balanced diet and don’t have an underlying health condition that affects nutrient absorption, you likely don’t have a vitamin deficiency.
However, as much as
If you’re concerned about not getting enough nutrients, or if you’ve experienced vitamin deficiency symptoms, a good first step is to talk with a medical professional. They’ll want to explore what could be going on, including prescribing blood work to test your nutrient levels among other measurements.
Some at-home tests for vitamin deficiencies may be more reliable than others. For instance, blood samples may be
Much like blood tests ordered at a doctor’s office or hospital, most at-home nutrient deficiency tests are processed in labs certified by CLIA. It’s wise to double-check for this before purchasing an at-home test.
Still, several factors can affect the accuracy of at-home tests, such as:
- errors with sample collection or contamination
- certain supplements — such as biotin — can
falsely elevate levels of specific nutrients - using lotions or sunscreens that contain
zinc
“At-home tests are great for your own personal knowledge, but if you want to take active steps toward treating whatever issue it is, I recommend getting a second opinion through a provider with a lab test, to have full confirmation,” said Dr. Philip Ngo, a pharmacist in Houston.
One issue with at-home nutritional testing, Dr. Ngo said, is that results are often presented in ranges, and they may not be easy to interpret. They also don’t take into consideration other things that may be impacting test results.
“If you do an at-home nutrition test and get a result, you might say ‘Hey, I want to go eat these foods to potentially even it out.‘ But you could be going in the wrong direction,” he said. “This is why we have dietitians, experts in the field.”
Vitamin deficiency tests differ in price based on whether they test for a single vitamin or a wider range of nutrients.
For example, single nutrient tests like the Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test ($49) and Labcorp Ferritin Blood Test ($59) are relatively inexpensive.
Full nutrient panels typically cost more, such as the LetsGetChecked Micronutrient Test ($179) and Labcorp Vitamin Deficiency Test ($169).
Several test brands accept HSA and FSA cards, so they may also help with the cost.
While there are some signs and symptoms that may raise suspicion, the only way to confirm a deficiency is to test for it, typically through blood work. In some cases, a hair or saliva sample may be collected and analyzed instead.
A full vitamin panel is often called a comprehensive nutrient panel or micronutrient test panel, and assesses the levels of various vitamins and minerals in your body and can help identify potential deficiencies or excesses of these nutrients.
If you’re searching for at-home vitamin deficiency tests, you’ll find several options. We’ve included five recommendations that address some of the most common deficiencies. These companies are all CLIA certified, and healthcare professionals will review your results.
If you decide to move forward with testing, discuss your results with a doctor or registered dietitian. They can help you decide whether you need further testing, dietary changes, or supplementation.
