3 Best At-Home Vitamin D Tests for 2023: Types, Cost, Reliability, and More

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A quick look at the best at-home vitamin D tests

• Best overall: LetsGetChecked Vitamin D Test | Skip to Review
• Best subscription: Everlywell Vitamin D Test | Skip to Review
• Best for fast results: myLAB Box At Home Vitamin D Test | Skip to Review

This article discusses how at-home vitamin D tests work, how reliable they are, and which products to consider. It also looks at when a person might consider getting medical advice on vitamin D deficiency.

A vitamin D test determines the vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. This type of test may suit individuals with chronic conditions, such as asthma, psoriasis, or an autoimmune disease.

People can receive vitamin D from sun exposure, supplements, and some types of food.

When a person is out in sunlight, UVB rays convert to vitamin D. This conversion only happens when a person is outside, as UVB rays cannot travel through glass. Additionally, the weather, time of day, and skin melanin content affect how much vitamin D a person gains through the sun.

This process generates the inactive form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D). The liver and kidneys then convert it into its active form, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D.

The inactive version of vitamin D, 25-OH D lasts around 14 days in the bloodstream. In contrast, the active version becomes undetectable within a few hours. This is why the majority of vitamin D tests measure the level of 25-OH D in the bloodstream.

Vitamin D from supplements is often in the form of lanolin from sheep or animal-free alternative lichen. While this vitamin is not plentiful in food, mushrooms are one of the best sources of vitamin D through diet.

Doctors may suggest taking a vitamin D test to monitor bone conditions, especially if a person has symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. These may include:

• bone weakness
• bone softness
• bone malformation
• fractures

Further, people who have a high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency may also consider buying a vitamin D test. This may include people who have:

• obesity
• limited sunlight exposure
• darker skin tones
• osteoporosis

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best overall: LetsGetChecked Vitamin D Test

• Price: $89
• Collection method: Finger-prick blood sample
• Results turnaround: 2–5 days

The LetsGetChecked Vitamin D test involves taking a finger-prick blood sample.

Read our review of LetsGetChecked here.

Once a person receives their test kit, they will need to activate it by answering a series of health questions on their personal dashboard, which they can access through the LetsGetChecked website or app.

The LetsGetChecked website advises people to collect their samples before 10.00 a.m. from Monday to Thursday and return them on the day of collection to avoid samples clotting during transit to the lab.

A person can access their results through their secure LetsGetChecked online account.

Best subscription: Everlywell Vitamin D Test

• Price: $49
• Collection method: Finger-prick blood sample
• Results turnaround: Within days

Everlywell is an online company that offers a variety of at-home test kits and ships within the U.S.

Read our review of Everlywell here.

An Everlywell vitamin D test involves a person taking a finger-prick blood sample. Results will show whether a person’s vitamin D levels are elevated, adequate, or suboptimal. The company claims that most test results are available within a few business days of the lab processing the sample.

A person needs to create an Everlywell account to register their test kits and check their results.

Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.

Best for fast results: myLAB Box At Home Vitamin D Test

• Price: $89
• Collection method: Finger-prick blood sample
• Results turnaround: 2–5 days
• Pro: Results may arrive quicker than other vitamin D tests
• Con: Higher cost than some vitamin D tests

MyLab Box offers its at-home vitamin D test across all U.S. states except New York.

Read our review of myLAB Box here.

A person provides a finger-prick blood sample to take the test, and the company claims that a person can get their results within 2–5 days.

In some cases, a person may receive a free consultation with a doctor to discuss their results. If a person’s test indicates they may have a vitamin D deficiency, myLAB Box suggests they share their test results with a doctor to get further advice.

The following table compares the vitamin D tests in this article on price, turnaround time, and more.

Some things a person may consider when looking for an at-home test, include:

• Cost: Some tests are more cost-effective than others so a person may consider their available budget when choosing a test.
• Certifications and accreditations: Individuals should check for CAP, CLIA, and ISO certifications.
• Reviews and reputation: Checking independent reviews from sites such as Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help a person make an informed decision about a company’s reputation.

A test measures the vitamin D levels in a blood sample. Here is how it works:

1. An individual first decides whether to order an online test to do at home or visit a doctor’s office.
2. At a doctor’s office or lab, the specialist uses a phlebotomist to draw a blood sample from the person’s arm.
3. At home, a person needs to use the finger prick they receive to collect a small blood sample from their finger and send it to the lab.
4. At the lab, a scientist measures the 25-OH D levels and submits the results.

Vitamin D tests involve taking a blood sample. There are two forms of vitamin D in the blood: 25-hydroxy vitamin D, or calcidiol, and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, or calcitriol.

Tests will measure the amount of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in the blood.

This is because 25-hydroxy vitamin D is a better indicator of a person’s vitamin D levels and stays in the bloodstream for longer, making it easier to detect.

If a person has a vitamin D test at a doctor’s office, the doctor will take a small blood sample from their arm using a needle. If a person takes a test at home, they will take a blood sample using a finger prick test.

Learn more about the 25-hydroxy vitamin D test here.

Samples from at-home tests go through the same lab processing as samples taken by medical professionals in a doctor’s office or clinic. The validation process for at-home testing is the same as for traditional testing that takes place in a lab and clinic.

However, a person taking a test at home must follow all of the test manufacturer’s instructions to avoid invalidating the results.

A person can check whether the lab that processes their chosen test has accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and certification from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). A person can also check if the lab’s manufacturing facilities have International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification.

There are some risks to getting vitamin D tests.

The main risk is that a person may collect a sample incorrectly, leading to an invalid test result.

Test samples may get lost in the post, or, rarely, laboratories may mix up results. However, using tracked mail delivery services and laboratories that follow regulations will minimize these risks.

Additionally, people may bruise themselves when collecting a sample. People who do not feel confident collecting their own sample may wish to ask a friend or family member, or going to a healthcare professional to conduct the test.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin the body needs to carry out vital functions, such as maintaining bones and teeth and helping the immune system fight bacteria and viruses.

According to a 2022 overview of vitamin D deficiency, around 1 billion people worldwide have a vitamin D deficiency, and 50% of the global population has vitamin D insufficiency.

Although the article states that most people with a vitamin D deficiency will not experience symptoms, some people do.

Another important thing to consider is the source of vitamin D. The overview suggests people should spend 20 minutes a day in the sun. However, this also brings risks of premature aging and skin cancer.

A person should always use sunscreen when outside to protect the skin against the sun’s harmful effects.

Buy the best sunscreens here.

Some people may be at a higher risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency.

These include people with insufficient intake of foods containing vitamin D and malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.

Symptoms that may indicate a vitamin D deficiency include:

• frequent infections
• muscle weakness, aches, or cramps
• bone and joint pain
• fractures
• fatigue
• mood changes
• depression

People at risk of a vitamin D deficiency or with symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency may wish to consult a doctor for possible monitoring and further tests.

Below are some frequently asked questions about home vitamin D test kits:

How much does a vitamin D test cost?

Vitamin D tests vary in price depending on the brand a person chooses and the features a product comes with.

A person can also save money and subscribe to a membership plan if they need to get tested every month or every 6 months.

Also, most companies do not accept insurance coverage. People should always check with their insurance provider to see if it will cover some or all of the costs of testing.

Do you need to fast for a vitamin D test?

A person does not need to fast before taking a blood test to check their vitamin D levels. However, if a person needs to take other tests that require fasting, they may choose to fast so they only have to take one blood sample.

What if I get unclear results?

Vitamin D test results will be straightforward and indicate a person’s vitamin D level based on a given range. People should always discuss their results with a doctor if they have questions about their test results.

How can I increase my vitamin D levels?

The body is able to make vitamin D naturally when a person exposes it to the sun. However, people who are older, live further north, or have a darker skin tone may not be able to create enough vitamin D.

Spending 20 minutes a day in the sun can help increase vitamin D levels. However, it is important to wear sunscreen to protect the skin against sun damage.

People can also use vitamin D supplements to increase their vitamin levels. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D supplements every day during the fall and winter.

What is a regular vitamin D range?

Doctors measure vitamin D deficiencies in nanomoles per liter (nmol/l) or nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). The current staging is as follows:

• Deficiency: Below 30 nmol/l or 12 ng/ml.
• Inadequate levels: 30–50 nmol/l or 12–20 ng/ml.
• Adequate levels: 50–125 nmol/l or 20–50 ng/ml.
• High levels: Above 125 nmol/l or 50 ng/ml.

Vitamin D is essential for vital bodily functions, and low vitamin D levels can have widespread effects on the body.

Several at-home vitamin D tests are available online that provide people with a convenient and comfortable way to check their vitamin D levels.

People who experience symptoms of vitamin D deficiency or receive test results indicating they may be deficient in vitamin D can consider talking with a doctor for treatment advice.