Are you vitamin D deficient?
If you’re not sure, you might want to consider getting a vitamin D deficiency blood test.
This is the best way to see your Vitamin D levels and if you need to make some changes. A Vitamin D test can show how much Vitamin D you need, or if you have too much Vitamin D in your system already!
While low Vitamin D levels are much more common, because Vitamin D is stored in your body, it’s possible to have more than enough Vitamin D as well.
Either way there are several different vitamin D deficiency blood tests available, so how do you know which one is right for you?
In this article, we will review what we consider to be the four best vitamin D deficiency blood tests on the market.
Please be advised that it’s a good idea to always get official medical counsel from your doctor. If you have insurance, they may assist you in covering the expenses and hopefully without much paperwork.
Keep reading if you just want to quickly order a Vitamin D insufficiency blood test online so you may get a fast blood draw from the lab closest to you.
We may receive a small commission if you order using some, but not all, of the links below. This helps keep the Eating Enlightenment CBT Food Journal App free for it’s hundreds of users who want to track their food without worrying about weight loss or calories.
If you want more info on supplements – including risks and general FDA guidelines – please see our “Supplements and Vitamins – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”.
Criteria For “Best” Vitamin Deficiency Blood Test
Test for Major Markers of Vitamin D Levels:
Vitamin D has two different forms, D2 and D3. Both of these forms are converted in the body to a form of vitamin D known as 25 hydroxyvitamin D.
You can test for both forms of Vitamin D with a 25-Hydroxy Blood Test. For this reason, Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Blood Tests are the most commonly prescribed test for diagnosing Vitamin D deficiency.
Please note: Individuals who are interested in vitamin D testing related to hypocalcemia, renal osteodystrophy, or kidney failure should order a “di-hydroxy” blood test, which is different from the 25-Hydroxy test we cover down below.
Certified Labs:
We selected blood test vendors that have been certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). We also considered their third-party assessments and Better Business Bureau ratings for each service.
Convenience:
We searched for websites that provide thorough explanations of tests, offer results in an easy-to-understand format, enable you to track health developments as you order additional tests, and deliver rapid outcomes.
Best Price: Ulta Wellness
- Price = $39
- # of Labs in US = 2000
- # of Reviews = 2728
- Average Rating = 4.9/5
- Better Business Bureau Rating = A+
Ulta Wellness offers the best deal in terms of price and they have an outstanding reputation too.
Their Vitamin D blood test is the standard 25-Hydroxy Blood Test that measures both D2 and D3.
Ulta Lab has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) after being accredited for eight years.
They’ve received only two consumer complaints during the previous eight years, both of which were resolved.
Best For Locations In USA: Health Labs
- Price = $59
- # of Labs in US = 4500
- # of Reviews = 15,500
- Average Rating = 96%
- Better Business Bureau Rating = A+
The Better Business Bureau has given Health Labs an A+ rating after 11 years.
Health Labs also has the most locations, with over 4500 laboratories in North America.
However, as with all blood testing procedures, you may have to travel further to the lab if you reside in a rural location.
Health Labs, like the other tests reviewed here, offers your standard 25-Hydroxy Blood Test.
Best For Locations In Europe: True Health Labs
- Price = $179
- # of Labs = 3700
- # of Reviews = N/A
- Average Rating = 5/5
- Better Business Bureau Rating = A+
We couldn’t find aggregate collection reviews for True Health Labs.
However, BBB gives True Health Labs a BBB rating of A+ after being in business for more than 10 years.
Best At Home Test Kit: Thorne
- Price = $99
- # of Reviews = 10,855
- Average Rating = 4.3/5
- Better Business Bureau Rating = N/A
Thorne is an established supplement and testing company that’s been around since 1984.
While laboratory blood draws give you the most accurate readings, there are advantages to home test kits too.
If you live in a rural area or don’t feel comfortable with blood draws then ordering an at home test kit can give you a great option to test your Vitamin D levels.
Best Runner-Up: Walk-In Lab
- Price = $48-$74
- # of Labs in US = 3700
- # of Reviews = 16, 605
- Average Rating = 4.8/5
- Better Business Bureau Rating = A
After it had been certified for more than 12 years, the Better Business Bureau gave the Walk-In Lab an A grade.
Walk-In Lab’s blood test for Vitamin D deficiency measures both D2 and D3 as well.
Third Party Resources:
- Better Business Bureau for Ulta Wellness
- Better Business Bureau for Walk-In Labs
- Walkin Lab verified reviews
- Better Business Bureau for Health Labs
- Better Business Bureau for True Health Labs
- Meta Reviews For Thorne
What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is a vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. It’s important for healthy bones, muscles, and teeth.
The most common type of vitamin D deficiency is caused by not getting enough sunlight, which triggers your skin to produce vitamin D. However, other causes of vitamin D deficiency include:
- eating a diet that doesn’t have many foods that are rich in vitamin D
- problems with how your body absorbs nutrients from food
- You don’t often get out in the sun
Who Is At Risk For Low Vitamin D?
Risk factors – the people most likely to suffer from a vitamin deficiency are:
- people who don’t get outside very often or get much sun exposure
- people with darker skin tones (pigment in persons with darker skin blocks sunlight absorption)
- older adults
- women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
Symptoms of vitamin d deficiency can include:
- feeling tired all the time
- muscle weakness
- bone pain
- having a hard time thinking clearly
- feeling depressed or anxious
Foods That Contain Vitamin D
Few foods are high in Vitamin D, naturally. Basically it’s cheese, fish and eggs which are high in Vitamin D normally.
But there are many foods nowadays that are fortified with Vitamin D, such as:
- milk
- cereal
- yogurt
- fortified orange juice
Vitamin D dietary supplements are another great way to make sure you get enough vitamin D.
There are a variety of Vitamin D supplements on the market, and in this article here we review what we consider to be the 3 best Vitamin D supplements.
Conclusion
No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that you can get a blood test to determine your Vitamin D status and to know whether you are getting enough Vitamin D.
We’ve reviewed four of the best tests here, but if you don’t see one that works for you, be sure to check out your local lab or True Health Labs if you’re in Europe.
All of these services offer fast results and most are certified by the Better Business Bureau.
