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The best vitamin D tests for your specific needs may vary by price, the level of medical support provided, and delivery speed. Everlywell, LetsGetChecked, and myLAB Box are among the best options.
- Best affordable: Everlywell
- Best for medical support: LetsGetChecked
- Best for fast delivery: myLAB Box
Vitamin D, also known as “the sunshine vitamin,” is a hormone produced in your body when your skin reacts with sunlight and other nutrients in your body. Vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods, but it is essential to healthy bones and a properly functioning immune system, among other things.
According to a 2018 study that analyzed national health data from 2001 to 2010, 28.9% of people in the United States have a vitamin D deficiency, 40.1% have insufficient vitamin D, and fewer than 30% have enough vitamin D to maintain optimal health. Globally, it is estimated about
Thankfully, testing your vitamin D levels is relatively easy. Keep reading to learn about four of the best at-home vitamin D tests. They can help you find fast, easy, and accurate answers to whether your vitamin D is in the recommended range (
We considered the following factors when determining which products should make our list:
- Company reputation: We selected tests that reputable companies offered. Furthermore, our internal vetting team thoroughly vetted each company based on its business practices.
- Lab certification: All the tests below are processed in
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified facilities to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. - Test methodology: During vetting, Healthline’s medical experts reviewed the methodology behind each test to ensure it’s based on sound science.
- Customer reviews: We chose tests that have mostly positive online ratings and paid close attention to mentions of overall value and ease of use.
Best affordable
Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test
- Price: $49
- Insurance coverage: Everlywell doesn’t accept insurance, but they do accept payments from a health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA).
- Results: within 5 days
In addition to being among the most budget-friendly options on our list, Everlywell is one of the more well-known at-home health and wellness testing services. They offer a large number of at-home blood tests and have overall very positive reviews.
The Everlywell vitamin D test measures your 25-OH D levels. The results tell you the amount of vitamin D in your blood.
The test comes with everything you’ll need for the finger-prick blood sample and includes prepaid shipping for returning your sample. Once it arrives, a team of physicians will review your lab results. The company estimates you’ll receive results around 5 days after shipping the sample.
Everlywell also offers a membership program for $24.99 a month to receive discounts on their tests. With a membership, the test costs $24.99. You can cancel the membership at any time.
Your lab results come with an easy-to-read report to help you take health-promoting, actionable steps. You also have the option to attend a live webinar led by a healthcare professional.
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
Pros
- affordable
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- physician-reviewed results
- CLIA certified labs
Cons
- is not covered by insurance
- does not include personalized follow-up with a healthcare professional
- not available in New York
Best for medical support
LetsGetChecked Home Vitamin D Test
- Price: $89
- Insurance coverage: LetsGetChecked doesn’t accept insurance, but they do accept FSA and HSA payments.
- Results: within 2 to 5 business days
LetsGetChecked is unique for the medical support they offer. After taking the test, you’ll have access to a team of nurses 24/7. A nurse will also call you to help you understand your results.
The test comes with all the materials you need to collect a sample, test directions, and a shipping label for return. For this test, LetsGetChecked requests you collect your sample in the morning. Physicians will review the test results and lab analysis.
The company has 4.6 out of 5 stars and more than 12,000 reviews on Trustpilot.
LetsGetChecked labs are CLIA-certified and accredited with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), which are the highest levels of accreditation. Their kits are also manufactured within an ISO 13485-accredited facility, the highest level of accreditation for medical devices.
Keep in mind that this test can’t be used in New York due to restrictions on home test kits within the state.
Use the code “HEALTH20” for a 20% discount.
Pros
- includes follow-up with a nurse
- CLIA and CAP-certified labs
- ISO-accredited facility
- physician-reviewed results
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
Cons
- not available in New York
- is not covered by insurance
Best for fast delivery
myLAB Box At Home Vitamin D Test
- Price: $89
- Insurance coverage: myLAB Box doesn’t accept insurance, but they do accept FSA and HSA payments.
- Results: within 2 to 5 days
myLAB Box offers a series of at-home tests to monitor your health and wellness. They also provide one free physician consultation for test results outside the standard range.
For this test, you’ll collect a blood sample via finger prick. myLAB Box offers fast results by including a free 2-day shipping label and provides you with results 2 to 5 days after receiving the sample.
The company is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. myLAB Box also states that it works with CLIA- and CAP-certified labs.
myLAB Box has many 5-star reviews on its website, but only four reviews are listed specifically for the vitamin D test.
Pros
- includes follow-up with a physician if results are outside the standard range
- CLIA and CAP-certified labs
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
Cons
- is not covered by insurance
- not available in New York
Everlywell | LetsGetChecked | myLAB Box | |
Price per test | $49 | $89 | $89 |
Time to results | 5 days or less | 2–5 days | 2–5 days |
Lab status | CLIA | CLIA & CAP | CLIA & CAP |
Medical support | physician reviews results | • physician review • 24/7 nurse support | telemedicine consult for abnormal results |
Payment options | FSA/HSA eligible | FSA/HSA eligible | FSA/HSA eligible |
Sample collection method | finger prick – blood | finger prick – blood | finger prick – blood |
A vitamin D test tells you how much vitamin D is in your bloodstream. This is a little more complicated than you might think, as vitamin D undergoes several changes before it can be used in your body.
The vitamin D you eat and naturally produce from sun exposure starts as an inactive form, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D). Later, the liver and kidneys convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) into the biologically active form, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (
Most vitamin D tests measure the total amount of 25-OH D in your blood. This is because 25-OH D has a longer half-life than 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (meaning, it remains in your bloodstream longer and is a more accurate measure of how much vitamin D your body has to work with).
25-OH D lasts in the bloodstream for around 14 days. By comparison, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D has a half-life of just a few hours. Its levels may not decrease with vitamin D deficiency or change in a way that is clear until vitamin D deficiency is severe.
How do vitamin D tests work?
Vitamin D tests need a blood sample to measure 25-OH D levels. In a doctor’s office or a lab, a trained technician called a phlebotomist draws blood from a vein in your arm. At-home tests typically have you prick and squeeze a finger to collect a smaller blood sample.
A vitamin D test can determine whether you have a vitamin D deficiency or excess levels in your body.
You may have excess vitamin D if you take large doses of vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D deficiency is more common than too much vitamin D, however (
Your physician or healthcare professional is the best person to help you determine if you are at risk for low vitamin D and whether testing would be helpful.
Read more about healthy vitamin D levels and improving yours through diet and supplements.
How often should I test my vitamin D levels?
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, regular testing may help you and your healthcare professional determine whether your treatment plan is working or if it should be adjusted.
But research suggests that you should wait at least 3 months before retesting to see if your levels have changed after your treatment plan. Testing too soon probably won’t show any changes to your vitamin D levels and may lead to unnecessary stress and medical expenses (
It isn’t common practice to screen for vitamin D deficiency in otherwise healthy individuals, so it’s ideal to speak with your healthcare professional before trying an at-home test (
Some experts say that if you are concerned about your vitamin D or are at high risk for low vitamin D levels, testing them twice a year — in the spring and again in the fall — can alert you to any changes and help ensure they continue to stay within a healthy range (
But there’s no research to support any benefits to screening for vitamin D deficiency, and people may experience added costs and stress by checking their levels at home. Contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your vitamin D levels.
If you and your healthcare professional have determined that you would benefit from an at-home vitamin D test, there are some factors you’ll want to consider as you choose:
- Time: How fast do you need your results? What is the expected turnaround time from this company?
- Cost: How much does this test cost compared to your insurance copay at a lab? Do you have FSA/HSA funds you could use?
- Support: Will you be able to talk about your results with a qualified medical professional? It can be stressful to get lab results with no interpretation.
- Accreditation: Does this company work with a reputable lab, preferably accredited by laboratory accreditation agencies?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be stored in your body for a long time. This important nutrient helps you maintain strong bones and muscles by helping to absorb calcium and phosphorus (two other micronutrients essential to healthy bones).
Without enough vitamin D, children may not reach their peak bone density or maximum height. Adults with chronic low vitamin D levels may be more prone to fragile and broken bones.
Additionally, research shows vitamin D is important for more than just the health of your muscles and bones. A vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and cancer (
Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with poorer cognitive function in older adults, although the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cognition aren’t yet clear (
What counts as vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D levels are identified based on amounts in your blood, and measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or nanomoles per liter (nmol/L).
- High levels: above 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L)
- Adequate levels: 20 to 50 ng/mL (50 to 125 nmol/L)
- Inadequate levels: 12 to 20 ng/mL (30 to 50 nmol/L)
- Deficient levels: 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) or below
According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), both high and low vitamin D levels are linked to negative health effects. They can affect the bones and other body systems of children and adults (
With about 40% of the U.S. adult population classified as low in vitamin D, you may wonder what causes this condition (
It’s worth noting that a true vitamin D deficiency (blood levels below 12 ng/mL) is much less common, particularly in the United States, where many foods like milk and cereal are fortified with vitamin D.
But many adults do have lower than optimal vitamin D levels. And, given the importance of vitamin D for musculoskeletal health, heart health, your immune system, and even cancer prevention, this is worth paying attention to.
People who are at a higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency include:
- people with limited sun exposure
- people with darker skin tones
- people who have low levels of other important nutrients, like magnesium (which plays a crucial role in vitamin D production in the body)
- people with restricted diets
- older adults
- people with chronic kidney disease or liver disease
- people with obesity
- people with a history of bariatric surgery
- people with conditions affecting the intestines, like Crohn’s disease or gastric cancer
- people with dairy allergies or who follow vegan diets
Many people with a vitamin D deficiency don’t experience any symptoms. But a healthcare professional can identify the following signs of a vitamin D deficiency:
- low calcium levels
- overactive parathyroid
- fragile bones
- muscle twitching and weakness
- fatigue
- rickets, which may develop in children
- depression, including seasonal affective disorder
If you’ve had a vitamin D deficiency in the past, talk with a healthcare professional about whether at-home tests can help monitor your vitamin D levels or if monitoring is needed at all. They can also help determine what frequency of testing you need.
Signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency
- To learn more about your test results: If you have test results and you’d like to understand them better, it’s a good time to reach out to a healthcare professional. They can help you interpret the results and determine the next steps.
- To have a general checkup: Even if you’re in good health, if you haven’t seen a doctor in a while, you can ask for a general health screening that includes testing your vitamin D levels.
- To discuss symptoms that may be affecting your daily life: If you’re experiencing symptoms like constant or increased tiredness, hair loss, slow wound healing, or chronic pain, it’s a good idea to contact a health professional. They can check your vitamin D levels with a blood test and help you rule out other causes of your symptoms.
- If changes to boost vitamin D have not seemed to help: If spending more time in the sun and increasing your dietary intake of vitamin D haven’t improved how you’re feeling, it’s worth talking with a healthcare professional.
What is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test?
A 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is a test that measures the amount of 25-OH vitamin D in your blood. It’s the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. The test can determine whether your vitamin D levels are too high or too low.
The test is also known as the 25-OH vitamin D test and the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalciferol test. It can be an important indicator of osteoporosis (bone weakness) and rickets (bone malformation).
What is the standard range for vitamin D levels?
Most vitamin D tests measure the total amount of 25-OH D in your blood.
According to the ODS, adequate 25-OH D levels range from 20 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL. Levels below 12 ng/mL are typically associated with vitamin D deficiency (
Are at-home vitamin D tests accurate?
Accuracy can depend on sample collection. User error is always possible with at-home tests, so it’s important to carefully follow the instructions provided. Overall, at-home vitamin D tests may be as accurate as traditional lab tests if performed correctly.
But given the margin for error, it may be best to have your blood drawn at a lab facility by a certified lab technician. Give your physician a call if you are unsure whether at-home or in-lab testing is right for you.
How can I increase my vitamin D levels?
You can increase your vitamin D levels by:
- spending time in the sun (you need about 10 to 15 minutes in the sun without sun protection on 40% of your body)
- eating foods containing vitamin D
- taking supplements containing vitamin D
What are the signs of low vitamin D?
Most people with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency may have no symptoms. However, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include:
- muscle weakness
- bone and back pain
- fatigue and tiredness
- frequent illnesses and infections
- impaired wound healing
- depression
- hair loss
- anxiety
- weight gain
Vitamin D is an important micronutrient because it plays a large role in bone and immune system health. Many people with vitamin D deficiency don’t experience any symptoms. So, testing your vitamin D levels may help provide information about your health.
An at-home test is a convenient way to monitor your vitamin D levels. Note that there isn’t much research available on the benefits of screening for vitamin D deficiency.
Before ordering a test, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether testing is needed and, if so, how often. A healthcare professional can also recommend any at-home testing options and advise you on your results and treatment for a vitamin D deficiency.