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4 Best At-Home Vitamin D Tests To Check Your Levels Of The Micronutrient
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Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN is Vice President of Scientific Affairs at mindbodygreen. She received her bachelor's degree in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia.
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Vitamin D plays a crucial role in our immunity and the overall health of our bones, gut, and thyroid—but it's also one of the most common nutrient gaps in the world. While we can get vitamin D from certain foods, it's not enough to truly affect our levels of the "sunshine vitamin."
Instead, one of the main ways we get this beneficial vitamin is from—you guessed it—exposure to sunlight. However the length of time needed to get enough vitamin D differs by person (season, latitude, skin tone, etc.), and it may require partaking in unsafe skin practices to reach the optimal amount.
Considering how much of our time is spent sitting indoors at a desk or watching Netflix on the couch, it's no surprise that many people are still struggling to hit the recommended vitamin D intake levels of at least 3,000 IU per day (which is still on the low end).
If you're curious about your own vitamin D levels, you can ask your doctor for a lab biomarker for vitamin D status called the serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, i.e., the 25(OH)D test, to shed some light on the situation. When an appointment with your health care professional isn't an option, an at-home vitamin D test is another way to test your vitamin D levels from the comfort of your home.
Below, learn everything you need to know about at-home vitamin D tests, as well as what counts as a vitamin D deficiency.
- Best overall: Let'sGetChecked
- Best budget: Everlywell
- Best for pregnancy: needed.
- Best for fast results: MyLAB Box
What is vitamin D?
Along with supporting thyroid health2, it also helps both the innate and adaptive immune systems by promoting white blood cell function3 and aiding the immune system in defending against threats4. It also plays a role in gut health, supporting beneficial gut bacteria and the gut mucosal lining.
Finally, vitamin D is key to healthy bones and strong muscles. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for bones, and supports the body in maintaining a balance between calcium and phosphorus.
Needless to say, it's not something you want to be deficient in—and lack of the vitamin has been linked to bone, thyroid2, autoimmune5, and mood issues, to name just a few.
What is vitamin D deficiency?
When testing your vitamin D levels, here is a simple and evidence-based guide for interpreting your 25(OH)D result:
- Deficiency: ≤ 20 ng/ml
- Insufficiency: > 20 ng/ml but ≤ 30 ng/ml
- Sufficiency: > 30 ng/ml
- Ideal: ≥ 50 ng/ml
What is an at-home vitamin D test?
An at-home vitamin D test checks the level of the circulating form of vitamin D in your blood. This is your serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D6 level.
We receive vitamin D (vitamin D2 and vitamin D3) from foods, beverages, sun exposure, and certain supplements. That vitamin D is converted in our liver to 25(OH)D, the biomarker for vitamin D status in your body. You might also see this test referred to as the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalciferol test.
The other type of vitamin D in our bloodstream and acting inside our cells is 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is the biologically active, hormone-like form. This doubly hydroxylated form of the nutrient is created when 25(OH)D is further converted by our kidneys and targeted tissues for use in the body.
This form, also known as calcitriol, isn't typically measured by tests (except in a kidney disease clinical setting) because it is tightly regulated and does not stay in the body as long as 25(OH)D.
Summary
How we picked the best at-home vitamin D tests
- Credibility: Each of these blood tests checks your 25(OH)D using CLIA-regulated laboratories. The CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Reviews: We read hundreds of reviews (both positive and negative) from people who had tried these tests firsthand.
- Transparency: None of these companies make outlandish claims about what their tests can do.
- Price: As always, we tried to consider a wide range of price points to accommodate different budgets.
With a nursing team on call for questions and physician-reviewed results, Let'sGetChecked offers the most support out of all the at-home tests we've found. Once you've received your test kit (which ships for free), you'll need to activate it on the Let'sGetChecked website before the lab can process your results. Be sure to plan accordingly: This test has to be taken before 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday and shipped back the same day. (Don't stress, though, the kit includes thorough instructions and a prepaid return label.)
The details
The details
Your vitamin D test result levels will be available within five days either on the patient portal or the LetsGetChecked app. A nurse will call you if there's any cause for concern in your results. As mentioned, you can also reach out to the helpline to chat with a nurse if you have any questions.
Like the rest of the tests on this list, this one only tests vitamin D (ok, 25(OH)D if we're being technical). For an additional $20, Let'sGetChecked also offers an Essential Vitamin Test that checks vitamin B12 and E levels, in addition to vitamin D. Although this kit is pricier than some of the other options on this list, it offers the added value of support from a health care practitioner.
One reviewer notes, "I had a phone call with a technician who summarized the results of my blood test. He was very sensitive and considerate but also very concise and clear regarding the results of my test and their meaning."
A common complaint about Let'sGetChecked is the amount of blood you're asked to provide with the finger prick. It's a small vial, but if you're squeamish about blood, this kit might not be for you.
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
Pros
- Physician-reviewed results
- Nursing team on call for questions
- Companion app
- Free shipping both ways
Cons
- Requires a specific testing time frame
- Blood sample size is significant
This kit from Everlywell also uses a finger-prick blood sample, but it requires a few drops on a collection card versus a full vial. The card resembles a Scantron test with small circles that you'll need to fill entirely with small drops of blood. (You'll find instructions in the box, but there are also online video tutorials showing how to properly take your sample.) Note that, like with Let'sGetChecked, you'll need to register your test online before you take it.
The details
The details
In comparison to some of the others, the price is right for this vitamin D test—and it's often on sale around major holidays. The biggest difference between this kit and the test from Let'sGetChecked is the lack of nursing staff support. Your Everlywell results will still be physician-reviewed, but there is not a helpline for questions. You can instead watch educational videos on the website or take your results to your health care provider to ask questions and discuss potential next steps.
All in all, reviewers have great things to say about this test. Many mention the ease of collection and quick results, including one person who says, "I purchased the Everlywell Vitamin D testing kit after learning my insurance would not cover a vitamin D test with my regular blood work. The testing process was very easy and results were reported within days, and the cost was a fraction of what my normal lab would have charged."
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
Pros
- More affordable option
- Physician-reviewed results
- Less blood required for sample
- Free shipping both ways
Cons
- No nurse on call for questions
- Slightly longer turnaround time
For expecting mamas, maintaining a healthy level of vitamin D7 is important for bone density, immune function, and fetal development. needed is a holistically minded prenatal supplement company, and, while its at-home vitamin D test doesn't necessarily provide any information you can't get from the other tests on this list (your serum vitamin D biomarker), the brand caters test results specifically to expecting mothers with nutrition and supplement recommendations.
The details
The details
Since they're not technically a testing company, needed partners with CLIA-certified lab OmegaQuant to create the tests and process the results. You'll receive a kit with lancets, a blood collection card, and a prepaid return envelope. The test only requires three drops of blood—so if you're avoiding a larger blood draw from a lab or another test, that's a perk.
On the downside, your results will take significantly longer to process than the other tests on this list (the website says two to three weeks). You also won't have a physician to review your results before they're sent back to you. However, needed is a certified B Corp, which means it meets the highest standards for environmental and social performance, as well as legal transparency. It's also Climate Neutral certified.
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
Pros
- Caters to expecting parents
- Only requires 3 drops of blood
- Certified B Corporation
Cons
- Longer wait time for results
- No physician review of results
MyLAB Box offers a testing experience similar to the above options but with a slightly quicker turnaround time. After registering your test, obtaining your finger-prick blood sample (with a collection card), and sending it back with the prepaid shipping label, you can expect to receive your results online in two to five days.
The details
The details
If your results show any cause for concern, you may be eligible for a free physician consultation—however, it's not clear on the website what qualifies for this consultation, and the brand may point you in the direction of your health care provider instead.
Still, if you're looking for a straightforward test with speedy results, this kit might be a good option for you. MyLAB Box even offers a six-month subscription option that reduces the price by 15%, which can be an easy way to see the impact of starting a new supplement routine on your levels. Just note that there are only two reviews online for this test, and the general reviews of MyLAB Box are pretty polarizing.
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
Pros
- Quick results
- Optional free physician consultation for abnormal results
- Subscription discount pricing available
Cons
- More expensive
- Not many reviews
Comparing the best at-home vitamin D tests
Brand | Price | Collection method | Coverage | Result time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Let'sGetChecked | $89 | Finger-prick blood sample | FSA/HSA eligible | 5 days |
Everlywell | $49 | Finger-prick blood sample | FSA/HSA eligible | 5-7 days |
needed. | $50 | Finger-prick blood sample | None | 2-3 weeks |
MyLAB Box | $89 | Finger-prick blood sample | FSA/HSA eligible | 2-5 days |
How do vitamin D tests work?
Similar to tests run by your health care provider, at-home tests check the levels of your vitamin D status biomarker, 25(OH)D, using a blood sample. This requires pricking your finger with a lancet to either fill a vial of blood or collecting a sample on a collection card.
At-home vitamin D tests are typically shipped directly to your home and require you to mail back any samples within a required time frame for accuracy; some options with vial samples may ask for a same-day return to prevent the blood from clotting.
Sounds easy enough, right? As with any at-home tests, there are pros and cons to testing vitamin D at home versus in a lab or at a doctor's office.
The first advantage, of course, is ease. "One of the benefits of at-home testing is that you can take the test when it's convenient for you," explains Bonney. "Even if your doctor doesn't feel it's medically necessary to have this test done, with an at-home test you can still get the data to supplement as warranted."
However, it's important to feel supported in understanding your results, which will vary from company to company. "Like any other lab testing, you'll get a reference range, which doesn't tell you what optimal levels are," says Bonney. "These ranges are typically based on what most people are, not what they should be. Doing the test under the guidance of a physician who is focused on making sure you have the right amount of vitamin D is helpful to guide what your dosage of supplementation should be."
Another consideration is the margin for error. Leaving the test to a professional means you're not responsible for potential error (i.e., inherent variability) in your results. Some reviewers of at-home tests complain that they were unable to properly collect their sample—although typically companies are good about sending a replacement kit in these instances.
What counts as a vitamin D deficiency?
It's estimated that 50% of people globally8 have insufficient levels of vitamin D, which are measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) clinically or sometimes referred to in nanomoles per liter (nmol/l) in research literature.
The Endocrine Society9 defines vitamin D deficiency as the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin (25(OH)D) of less than 20 ng/ml, and vitamin D insufficiency as a 25(OH)D result of less than 30 ng/ml. In other words, these are the baseline cutoffs for avoiding insufficiency and thus, numbers to avoid. Indeed, many health care experts and much scientific research push for levels closer to 50 ng/ml to support bone health, immunity, and whole-body health.
For example, the Endocrine Society recommends a preferred range of 40 to 60 ng/ml; founder and director of the Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Philadelphia Seema Bonney, M.D., recommends an optimal range of 55 to 60 ng/ml given the importance of the micronutrient—and she's not the only one.
Board-certified endocrinologist Brittany Henderson, M.D., previously told mbg that the common 30 ng/ml baseline actually leaves clients underserved, and she personally recommends a higher level.
"As an endocrinologist, I know that achieving optimal serum 25(OH)D levels in the 50+ ng/ml range is imperative for immune health, bone health, and more," she explained. "Our population is heavily vitamin D deficient, and targeting an optimal level of 50 ng/ml has an enormous impact on all aspects of human health."
Signs of a vitamin D deficiency
Deficiency in vitamin D can stem from a number of factors, such as poor nutrient absorption, lack of sun exposure, or more serious conditions, like liver or kidney disease. Functional nutrition dietitian Whitney Crouch, RDN, CLT, once told mbg those most at risk of vitamin D deficiency include:
- Anybody with limited sun exposure
- People with dark skin tones, who may not be able to produce vitamin D from UV rays as easily due to melanin in their skin
- Those with overweight or obesity, who may have increased vitamin D needs
- Individuals with liver or kidney issues
- People on low-fat diets or who struggle to properly absorb fat, as vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin
- People who don't regularly take a vitamin D3 supplement
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency aren't always easily detectable because this micronutrient is so whole-body important. However, some symptoms (such as depression or bone loss) can be life-altering. You may want to take a deeper look at your vitamin D levels if you have any of the below symptoms or conditions:
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression (including seasonal affective disorder, or SAD)
- Low calcium levels
- An overactive parathyroid
- Low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis in adults, rickets in children)
- Bone pain
- Musculoskeletal injury (e.g., bone fracture, muscle tear)
- Muscle weakness
- Frequent illness (i.e., lack of immune resilience)
If you think you're experiencing symptoms, the best course of action is to work with your health care provider to determine how to monitor your vitamin D levels and identify the root cause of your health concerns.
Are at-home vitamin D tests covered by insurance?
According to Bonney, for most people, vitamin D testing through a lab would be covered by insurance with the correct ICD-10 code(s) submitted by your health care partner. "But these at-home tests are not," she says. "And if your [at-home] levels are abnormal, this would warrant having them rechecked in a lab setting with proper phlebotomy" and an expert clinical opinion once the result comes in.
However, most of the at-home testing companies on this list do accept payment from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), if those are insurance benefits available to you.
Are at-home tests reliable?
According to our expert, yes. But Bonney warns that the main variable to watch out for is you.
"In general, [at-home] vitamin D tests may be as accurate as lab tests done by phlebotomy, but they do need to be performed correctly," she explains. "This means washing your hands with soap and water (as per the CDC) to remove residue like lotions that can affect the results. It's also vital that you produce a blood drop sufficient to fill the testing strip; otherwise, you'll have an insufficient sample."
Other possible variables include waiting too long before the blood sample is sent off and assayed for results, as well as testing method errors at the lab completing the assay, according to mindbodygreen's vice president of scientific affairs Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN.
"At-home vitamin D tests are really at-home blood samples that are mailed off for vitamin D assay (testing) at certified labs using fancy equipment and analytical methods," she explains. "While no assay method is 100% free of error, the gold standard method for accurately testing your vitamin D status is called liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry10 (LC-MS/MS)."
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a vitamin D test?
If you're concerned that you may have a vitamin D insufficiency or frank deficiency, or excess levels of vitamin D (insufficiency and deficiency are much more common), it's always wise to consult your doctor.
What is the difference between vitamin D and D3 test?
These are one and the same. That's because a serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D test (i.e., what an at-home vitamin D test is measuring) quantifies both vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 quantities from all inputs: foods, beverages, sunshine, and supplements.
How accurate are vitamin D tests?
When used properly, at-home vitamin D tests can be as reliable as traditional lab tests, per Bonney. However, user error is always a variable when testing at home.
The takeaway
From promoting strong bones and a healthy immune system to enhancing your sleep quality, vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that about half of the global population8 does not get enough of without proper vitamin D supplementation.
An at-home test can provide some insight into your biomarkers from the comfort of your own couch. Just be sure to choose a test that makes you feel supported and doesn't break the bank. And remember: If you're concerned about the results of your at-home test, it's best to speak with your health care provider.
10 Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618598/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604145/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3756814/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3908963/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441912/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32487800/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532266/
- https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/96/7/1911/2833671?login=false
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6020395/
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