Vitamin D Test - Vitamin D Blood Test

Vitamin D, often referred to as the sunshine vitamin, is vital for optimal health. Despite its importance, nearly half of the population may suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to spending too much time indoors and away from natural sunlight. To ensure you have adequate levels of this essential nutrient, a vitamin D test is crucial.

The Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D supports numerous vital functions in the body. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth by aiding in the absorption of calcium and phosphate. Additionally, vitamin D is crucial for heart health, immune function, and healthy aging. Studies show that individuals with vitamin D levels between 100-150 nmol/L have the lowest all-cause mortality rates, which is why nutritional experts recommend higher doses of vitamin D3 to boost your defenses.

Understanding Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a variety of health issues, including weak bones, compromised immune function, and difficulty in absorbing nutrients, resulting in abnormal calcium levels. Ensuring you have enough vitamin D in your blood is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing these issues. It is recommended to take a vitamin D test to understand your levels and mitigate the risk of vitamin d deficiency.

What’s Inside?

2 Alcohol wipes

Wipes to clean and sterilise the area on the finger to be pricked.

2 Lancets

Easy to use, single-use, Lancets used for pricking the finger. A second lancet is a backup in case you need to puncture a second finger if the blood drop isn't enough from the first finger.

Blood spot collection card

A specially coated paper with two circles to collect the blood drops. The circles need to be filled. Our lab will use these spots to test, measure and calibrate your results.

Card Sleeve

This sleeve will protect your blood sample. The collection card will be placed into this sleeve after the blood has dried completely.

Blood Sample Return Bag

The Sleeve will be placed into this bag to keep it dry and airtight.

Pre-paid Envelope

A handy pre-addressed and pre-paid envelope into which you place the Sample bag for your convenience, to be posted on the same day as collecting your sample.

Gauze Pad

A handy sterile gauze pad is provided in case you need to wipe the blood from the finger after you have provided the sample.

2 Band-aids

Place a band-aid over the pricked finger so it can heal hygienically.

How our Vitamin D Test Kit works.
Order a Vitamin D Test Kit: Easily available online, allowing you to test at home without needing to visit a doctor.

Collect Blood Sample at Home: A simple finger prick is all it takes to collect a small amount of blood. This method is less invasive than traditional blood draws from a vein.
Send Sample to our Lab: Use a prepaid label to send your test to our certified laboratory
View Your Results Online: Fast results, typically within a two weeks, accessible through our app or website.

Interpreting Your Vitamin D Test Results

Once your test results are available, they

provide a clear indication of your vitamin D status. Here's how to interpret your test results:

Normal Range: Typically, vitamin D levels between 75-150 nmol/L (or 30-60 ng/mL) are considered sufficient for most individuals.
Insufficiency: Levels between 50-75 nmol/L (20-30 ng/mL) suggest a mild deficiency, which may require dietary adjustments or low-dose supplements.
Deficiency: Levels below 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) indicate a significant deficiency, often necessitating higher-dose vitamin D supplements and medical intervention.
Toxicity: Although rare, levels above 375 nmol/L (150 ng/mL) may indicate vitamin D toxicity (too much Vitamin D) which can lead to hypercalcemia and other serious health issues.

Accuracy and Reliability

Our home tests are designed to be as accurate as those conducted in a laboratory, using the same biomarkers (25-hydroxyvitamin D) to measure your vitamin D levels D or if you need to take steps to address a deficiency.

It's simple

Take a tiny blood sample at home

Pack post to our lab for free

Access your results online in days

Know More

Can my body make Vitamin D?

Yes, exposing skin for 20 minutes every day during the midday summer sun, you should be able to make a healthy amount of vitamin D. However, if you wear sunblock, have darkly pigmented skin, or are elderly or overweight, you may not make enough. There is not enough sunlight at the correct angle in the northern hemisphere from October to March. That's six months of the year!

Will taking Vitamin D protect me from Covid?

Although it cannot be said taking vitamin D stops you from getting Covid 19, in a study of 8297 persons, it was found that habitual use of Vitamin D supplements was strongly correlated with a risk reduction of 34% of Covid 19 infections. According to the American journal of clinical nutrition.

Am I likely to be Vitamin D deficient?

Low vitamin D levels are very common in Ireland with half of 18 to 39-year-olds, one-third of 50 to 59-year-olds and two-thirds of people over the age of 80 deficient!

In Ireland, 74% of adults and 88% of primary school children get less than half the daily recommended amount of Vitamin D which is already too low. In many countries in Europe these dosages have recently been allowed to be increased from 10-20 micrograms mcg/day, up to 16 mcg /day (640 IU) for children between 1 and 11 years, 40 mcg a day (1600 IU) for children between 11 and 18 years and to 80 mcg (3200 IU) for adults.

Best to take the test!

Will my test completed in a laboratory?

Yes, your test will be sent to a certified laboratory.

Is it easy to take a blood sample?

Yes, unlike a normal blood draw which can be uncomfortable and painful, our at home test kit provides a convenient way to measure your vitamin D levels. Just prick the tip of your finger and put a drop of blood into each circle on the dry blood spot card. Once you have sent your sample back to us in a prepaid envelope you can expect to receive your test results within two weeks.

What should I do if I have low levels of Vitamin D?

If you have low levels of Vitamin D, you should increase sun exposure, eat foods that are high in vitamin D (mushrooms, milk, eggs ect.) and take a vitamin D supplement

Will taking a Vitamin D supplement increase my Vitamin D levels?

Yes taking a Vitamin D supplement is the most effective way of increasing Vitamin D levels.

Is vitamin D a fat-soluble vitamin?

Yes, Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin.

Does vitamin D promote healthy bones?

Vitamin D promotes healthy bones by aiding the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the gut, which are essential minerals for bone formation and maintenance.

What are the HSE / NHS guidelines regarding Vitamin D?

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

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