Best At-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests of 2022

Table of Content

• How to test for a B12 deficiency?
• Preparing for the home tests
• Living DNA – Learn How Your Genes Affect Vitamin B12 Metabolism
• Using Silicon for Thyroid Hair Loss, Skin Health & Better Nails
• Do home B12 blood tests work?
• Who should consider taking a vitamin B12 test? (and how often?)
• Will the doctor test for vitamin deficiencies at my annual physical?
• This test measures your vitamin B6 (PLP), B9 (5-methyltetrahydrofolate), and B12(cyanocobalamin) levels.

During a vitamin B12 test conducted in a lab or health care setting, a small blood sample is usually taken from a vein in your arm. Vitamin B12 testing is most often performed at a doctor’s office or another medical setting like a laboratory or hospital. A doctor normally prescribes vitamin B12 tests, but they may be available without a doctor’s order at a walk-in lab or an at-home test kit.

Even if your test results from an at-home vitamin B test fall within the normal range, you can use the information you've collected along the way to make healthier lifestyle choices. While there are some people who are deficient for a number of reasons, I think that the B12 is the least well-documented. At least it was when my own doctor did it for me and I thought it was a waste of money. I was also surprised by how much the doctor used the word “deficiency” to describe my blood test results and the reason I was deficient. I don’t know if it’s my own health, or if it’s because I’m a busy guy, or if it’s because of a diet deficiency that’s kept me from getting enough B12. I actually don’t really like the idea of taking time from my schedule just to take a test.

How to test for a B12 deficiency?

Poor Diagnostic testsand reference ranges of B12 serum test range set so low missing severely deficient patients. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, a home vitamin test provides an easy way to test without needing to go to a doctor to have bloodwork done. Alternatively, you can join the EverlyWell membership program for $25 per month to receive one health test each month.

For instance, a low B12 can cause enlarged red blood cells that do not work properly, resulting in a lack of oxygen to essential organs. As expected, most at-home tests don't include all 13 vitamins but instead focus on vitamins D and B. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins to test for since it's estimated a billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient (and women are 11% more likely to be lacking in this vitamin). The common deficiency means every test on our list measures vitamin D levels—but many also explore other essential nutrients. A blood test will tell you your current level of vitamin B12 and if they are within the normal range, plus dietary advice to help optimize your levels. A DNA test will tell you if your genetic makeup predisposes you to a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Preparing for the home tests

On that note, however, user error can come into play when using any at-home test. As U.K.-based medical provider and health enthusiast Michael Njunge notes, finger prick testing is only accurate if it's done correctly. The blood needs to be taken from the right body part at the right time of day without contamination. If the blood sample is altered in any way, the results will be inaccurate.

No matter how thorough you are, laboratory testing is simply not always accurate. But in order for this process to occur your body needs vitamin B12 to make the reaction function optimally. It’s incredibly cheap and it’s ordered as part of your yearly checkup so there is a very high chance that you have this test result on hand.

Living DNA – Learn How Your Genes Affect Vitamin B12 Metabolism

If a person has concerns over their vitamin and mineral levels, they can use an at-home test to check for deficiencies. While a complete blood count won’t reveal specific nutritional deficiencies, some of the results from this type of test could prompt your doctor to order further testing. For example, a low hemoglobin count could possibly indicate iron deficiency anemia .

Your samples are processed in the same labs used by primary care providers, hospitals and government programs. Our nursing team is on standby throughout the testing process and, if your test results are abnormal, you will receive a call to discuss your results and next steps. The Everlywell B Vitamins Test is a B6, B9, and vitamin B12 test that assesses your B6, B9 and vitamin B12 status by measuring the levels of these vitamins in your blood. This test measures your vitamin B6 , B9 (5-methyltetrahydrofolate), and B12 levels. At-home tests need to produce the same results if you were to have them done in a traditional lab. If your test results report optimal levels, there's no need to do anything but eat a balanced diet.

Using Silicon for Thyroid Hair Loss, Skin Health & Better Nails

A period of fasting is required before taking the test, and you should collect your blood sample before 9 am, returning it on the same day. The EverlyWell Vitamin D Test measures your blood levels of vitamin D and has excellent reviews. EverlyWell’s Folic Acid Test measures your blood levels of folic acid. Inadequate levels may be linked to fatigue, as well as birth defects in infants. There is also a simple testing process that first involves activating your kit on the app or website.

With a vitamin deficiency, your body lacks certain essential nutrients. As a result, it does not function properly and you may not feel your best. A vitamin B12 test can also be ordered as a follow-up if you had an abnormal blood test that suggests megaloblastic anemia, when red blood cells are unusually large and do not function properly. Vitamin B12 is responsible for neurological function, producing DNA, maintaining a healthy nervous system and generating red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. Vitamin B12 is found in foods like fish, meat, and dairy, and is not naturally produced by the body. The people at the greatest risk for a deficiency are those with strict diets as well as older adults and younger children.

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 and C-reactive protein . While it isn’t cheap, the LetsGetChecked Micronutrient Test is one of the few at-home tests that’s designed to test your levels of multiple nutrients. We vetted the most popular at-home nutrient deficiency tests and updated our list to reflect what we believe to be a better solution set for our audience. Some reports estimate that around 31% of the United States population is at risk for at least one nutrient deficiency or anemia .

One of the ongoing issues surrounding the diagnosis of vitamin deficiency is the dramatic presentation of symptoms. The biggest advantage of testing via Homed-IQ is that you can easily test yourself from home and you will quickly receive a reliable result with a clear explanation of its meaning. This is because Homed-IQ aims to give everyone a better understanding of their health.