Vitamin D Test

Vitamin D is needed by the body for both physical and mental health but is best known for making sure that bones and muscles (including your heart) are strong and growing properly. It also helps regulate the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is related to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. The development or worsening of mental health conditions, such as depression and low mood has also been linked to inadequate levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are essential for healthy teeth, bones and muscles. The body makes vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. However, between October and March in the UK we do not produce enough vitamin D from sun exposure, therefore it is recommended to take a vitamin D supplement.

There are 2 forms of vitamin D: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 comes mainly from plant sources, such as mushrooms (grown under UV light). Whereas vitamin D3 is only found in animal food sources (oily fish; fish oil; liver; egg yolk; butter). It is vitamin D3 that is most effective in the body.

A simple blood test can help determine if you are vitamin D deficient. The most common vitamin D blood test is called the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D). This tests for the most circulated form of vitamin D – 25 (OH) – and is currently considered the best indicator of vitamin D supply to the body.

YorkTest offers a quick and reliable Vitamin D Test that you can do from the comfort of home. The YorkTest Vitamin D Test kit consists of a simple finger-prick blood sample which is used to measure your vitamin D levels.

Once you’ve placed your order, we will send you a kit containing everything you need to supply us with a small blood sample. This involves a simple prick of the finger with a small, sterilised lancet, which you can carry out in the comfort of your own home. You then post this sample to our partner laboratory in the pre-paid envelope provided and we’ll do the rest! The results are easy to read and come with lifestyle advice to help support your health.

Disclaimer: Our test results are for information only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. The results cannot be used to diagnose, treat or cure medical or health conditions. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, please seek medical advice from your GP or other medical professionals.

From March to September, most people should be able to produce enough vitamin D from the sunlight on their skin, to maintain healthy levels of between 75-200 nmol/L.

Vitamin D deficiency can be hard to detect because symptoms may take months to appear, or you may experience no symptoms at all. However, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for:

– Frequent illness and infections

– Fatigue and tiredness

– Bone and back pain

– Depression and/or anxiety

– Slow wound healing

– Hair loss

– Muscle pain

– Weight gain

Long-term vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone deformities such as:

– Rickets: A condition in infants and children of soft bones and skeletal deformities caused by failure of bone tissue to harden.

– Osteomalacia: A condition in adults of weak and softened bones that can be reversed with supplementation. This is different than osteoporosis, in which the bones are porous and brittle, and the condition is irreversible.

Generally, it takes a few weeks of taking daily supplements for vitamin D levels to rise. Yet a severe deficiency (e.g., rickets) may take months to resolve.

The NHS suggests that everyone should consider taking a vitamin D supplement (containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D) during autumn and winter. This supplement should be in the form of vitamin D3.

Few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D3, though many foods and supplements are fortified with vitamin D like dairy products and cereals. Naturally containing sources are:

– oily fish and fish liver oils

– egg yolk

– cheese

– red meat

– some commercially sold mushrooms contain higher amounts of D2 due to intentionally being exposed to high amounts of ultraviolet light.

In the UK cow’s milk is not fortified in vitamin D as it is in some other countries (e.g., Sweden and Canada).

No, you do not have to fast before taking our Vitamin D Test. However, it is required that you take your blood sample Monday-Wednesday and return by post the same day.

Vitamin D deficiency may occur from a lack in the diet, poor absorption or requiring higher amounts to cover a metabolic need. If a dietary insufficiency is combined with a lack of UV sun exposure over a period of time, deficiency may occur.

People following a vegan diet or who do not eat milk, eggs and fish for any other reason – such as intolerance, allergy or personal preference – are at higher risk of a vitamin D deficiency.

Other groups at risk are people who are not often outdoors, if they are housebound or in an institution, or usually wear clothes that cover most of their skin when outdoors.

Vitamin D toxicity can occur from taking too much vitamin D, most often in the form of supplements, as the low levels in food are unlikely to reach a toxic level.

Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include:

– Anorexia

– Weight loss

– Irregular heartbeat

– Hardening of blood vessels, potentially damaging the heart and kidneys

The NHS advises that taking more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D per day could be harmful.

Excessive exposure to sunlight will not cause an excess of vitamin D production. Always be aware to protect your skin in the sun for long periods.