5 Vitamin Deficiency Tests You Can Order Online, Plus Answers to Common Questions

A quick look at our picks for at-home vitamin deficiency tests

• Best for multiple nutrients: LetsGetChecked Micronutrient Test | Skip to review
• Best for vitamin D: Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
• Best at-home test for vitamins B12 and D: LetsGetChecked Essential Vitamin Test | Skip to review
• Best technician-administered test for vitamins B12 and D: Labcorp Vitamin Deficiency Test | Skip to review
• Best for iron: Labcorp Ferritin Blood Test | Skip to review

Some reports estimate that around 31% of the United States population is at risk for at least one nutrient deficiency or anemia (1).

Not getting enough key vitamins and minerals — such as iron and vitamins B6, B12, and D — could affect your overall health and well-being.

If you’re concerned about not getting enough nutrients based on your current diet or any symptoms you’re experiencing, you may consider talking with your doctor and then ordering a vitamin deficiency test online or scheduling a lab visit. At-home tests don’t require a doctor’s order, but you’ll need to pay for them out of pocket.

Check with your doctor before using any at-home tests that require a finger prick if you:

• are pregnant
• are at a higher risk of fainting
• have a bleeding disorder
• take blood thinners
• live with a skin condition that inhibits healing

Many vitamin deficiency tests are 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.

You can then share your results with a doctor or dietitian and discuss before changing your current diet or supplement routine.

Read on to find out about how online vitamin deficiency tests work, when you should consider buying them, and our specific brand recommendations to help inform your next steps.

Healthline’s picks for at-home vitamin deficiency tests

How we chose at-home vitamin deficiency tests

When carefully selecting our recommendations, we looked at the following elements:

• Nutrients measured: We looked for tests that check for common vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Testing methods: The tests below use reliable testing methods (the finger-pricking method instead of saliva samples).
• Lab and clinician credentials: We looked for tests that use labs that meet the 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.
• 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. You can then share your results with a medical professional.
• Reviews: The tests on our list have mostly positive customer reviews and anecdotal experiences.

A comparison of the best at-home vitamin deficiency tests

Here’s a quick comparison of our top picks:

How to choose

Here are a few factors to keep in mind when determining which at-home nutrient deficiency testing kit is right for you:

• Nutrients: Each kit tests for levels of various vitamins or minerals, 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 or CLIA-certified 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.

Are at-home deficiency tests accurate?

Much like blood tests ordered at a doctor’s office or hospital, most at-home nutrient deficiency tests are processed in labs certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). Always double-check for this before purchasing an at-home test.

CLIA is a set of regulations established by government organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that are intended to ensure the accuracy and quality of diagnostic testing.

Because most physician-ordered tests also go to CLIA-certified labs, at-home nutrient deficiency tests that go to these labs are thought to be as reliable as tests administered by healthcare professionals.

Still, several factors can affect the accuracy of these tests, including whether you follow the instructions precisely.

Collecting samples at home may increase the risk of inaccuracies due to user error, especially compared with tests collected by a trained technician.

Additionally, some testing methods may be more reliable. For instance, some research suggests that blood samples may be more accurate than saliva samples at detecting certain nutrient deficiencies (14).

Which vitamins are worth testing for?

According to a literature review, many people in the United States are at risk for a deficiency in the following vitamins and minerals (1):

• vitamin B6
• iron
• vitamin B12
• vitamin D
• vitamin C

Keep in mind that testing for deficiencies in all these nutrients is likely unnecessary, especially if you eat balanced meals and don’t have any underlying health conditions that affect nutrient absorption. It’s worth talking with your doctor or dietitian first if you any concerns.

Who should take a nutrient deficiency test?

It’s important to consider your medical history, diet, and symptoms to determine whether a nutrient deficiency test is right for you.

For example, if you have a history of iron deficiency, follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, or are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or shortness of breath, the best first step is to seek medical help from a healthcare professional. From there, you may want to consider checking your iron levels, either at a doctor’s office or using an at-home test (10).

Similarly, if you don’t get regular sun exposure or are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, testing your blood levels may be beneficial (15).

People who follow restrictive diet patterns or have health conditions associated with an increased risk of deficiencies — such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease — may also need to be mindful of their nutrient levels (16, 17, 18).

A doctor or registered dietitian can provide more detailed recommendations on which nutrients you may be lacking and how you can modify your diet to ensure that you’re meeting your needs.

Potential signs of a nutrient deficiency

Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies can vary depending on the nutrient you’re lacking, along with the severity of deficiency.

For example, many people with mild vitamin D deficiency may not experience any symptoms. However, over time, a severe deficiency can cause issues such as bone loss in adults and issues with thriving, developmental delays, or bone abnormalities in children (9, 19).

Meanwhile, symptoms of iron deficiency can range from weakness and fatigue to heart palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath (7).

Some of the most common symptoms of a nutrient deficiency are (8, 9, 10, 20, 21):

• decreased energy levels
• difficulty concentrating
• weakness
• irritability
• confusion
• unintentional weight loss
• shortness of breath
• brittle nails
• impaired immunity
• swollen or bleeding gums
• hair loss
• headaches
• bone or joint pain
• skin changes
• swollen tongue
• depression
• loss of appetite

However, many of these symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, so they may not necessarily indicate a nutrient deficiency.

A healthcare professional can help assess the cause of your symptoms and determine the best course of treatment.

How to use your results

If your at-home test results reveal a possible vitamin deficiency, it’s important to make an appointment with a healthcare professional to discuss next steps.

They can help you determine the causes of any nutritional deficiencies, such as your diet or any underlying medical conditions.

A doctor may also refer you to a registered dietitian who can help design meal plans to fit your dietary needs.

In some cases, you may need specific vitamin or mineral supplements, such as a multivitamin with iron or vitamin D3, B6, or B12. However, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies?

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 iodine, vitamin A, folate, and vitamin E (1, 22, 23).

How do I know if I have a vitamin deficiency?

Testing is the only definitive way to determine whether you have a nutrient deficiency. However, some deficiencies are not easily assessed by a lab test, so it’s important to talk with your doctor about any symptoms and concerns.

In cases of a significant deficiency, you may notice possible related symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, easy bruising, skin dryness, and brittle nails.

What are the consequences of vitamin deficiencies?

While the exact health concerns vary by the type of nutritional deficiency you have, the consequences may go beyond fatigue.

For example, an extremely low iron intake could lead to anemia, and a long-term vitamin D deficiency could affect your bone health and overall inflammation.

Do I need to take supplements?

It’s better to get essential nutrients from foods, but a doctor may recommend supplements if your diet lacks certain vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 for vegetarian or vegan diets is one such example, though there are additional food sources with vitamin B12 for vegetarians to help prevent this (24, 25, 26).

However, it’s important to get tested and talk with a doctor before taking any supplements. This can prevent unnecessary supplement use and even vitamin or mineral overdoses.

What types of tests check for vitamin deficiencies?

Blood tests are traditionally used to check for vitamin deficiencies. While saliva tests are also available, these may not be as accurate. This is why all our selections rely on blood samples obtained via finger pricking (14).

Does a CBC panel show vitamin deficiency?

While a complete blood count (CBC) won’t reveal specific nutritional deficiencies, some results from this type of test could prompt your doctor to order further testing. For example, a low hemoglobin count could indicate iron deficiency anemia (26).

Will the doctor test for vitamin deficiencies at my annual physical?

A doctor won’t typically check for nutritional deficiencies at annual physicals unless you specifically ask for these tests. If you have any concerns or questions about whether these tests are necessary, the general checkup is a good time to ask.

More commonly, your doctor will order a CBC, a cholesterol check, and other preventive blood tests at your physical. If you decide to take an at-home vitamin deficiency test, you have the option of following up with further testing at a doctor’s office.

A general checkup is always a good time to talk with a doctor if you have a history of vitamin deficiencies or have certain health conditions that increase your chances of deficiencies.

Is it less expensive to test for vitamin deficiencies at home?

Whether testing for vitamin deficiencies at home is more affordable largely depends on insurance coverage. While we assessed the prices of our recommended at-home vitamin deficiency tests, medical insurance doesn’t cover these tests. In some cases, you may be able to use your applicable FSA/HSA funds toward your purchases.

You can also talk with your insurance company to see whether they cover nutritional deficiency tests performed at your doctor’s office or a local lab. Comparing such costs can help you determine which option could be the most affordable.

The bottom line

If you’re searching for at-home vitamin deficiency tests, you’ll find several options to order online.

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 do decide to go forward with testing, it’s important to discuss your results with a doctor or registered dietitian. They can help you decide whether you need further testing, dietary changes, or supplementation.