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What are vitamins, and how do they affect the body?
Vitamins are organic compounds your body needs to grow and function properly but, sometimes, can't produce on its own. They are found in different food groups in varying amounts. When you ingest them, vitamins regulate chemical processes throughout your body, enabling it to perform essential functions. A deficiency in any vitamin, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems like:
Therefore, testing for vitamin deficiencies is important to recognize the need for a specific treatment and improvement in your diet to ensure good health.
How to test for vitamin levels and deficiencies?
Laboratory tests determine the vitamin levels and deficiencies in your body from a standard blood sample.
Who should get their vitamins tested?
People who should test their vitamins include:
Also, testing vitamin levels can benefit anyone displaying vitamin deficiency symptoms (read below for common symptoms).
What are some symptoms of vitamin deficiencies?
Symptoms that arise from low levels of vitamins in the body can differ depending on the specific vitamin that is deficient. However, the following are the most common symptoms of vitamin deficiencies:
Do I need to visit a doctor?
Nope. You don't need a doctor's visit to get a test with us.
How do I get my results?
You'll get your results via email as soon as they are available. We will notify you via SMS as well. You can also see them at any time in the future right in your dashboard where you can easily share them with your professional and compare them side by side with future tests.
Does my lab prescription expire?
We're the only lab that honors your lab order forever.
Vitamins deficiency testing is essential for healthy living.
If you experience:
then a blood test for vitamin deficiency is the first step to address them.
Vitamins are tiny but essential molecules.
Your body uses them to heal wounds, strengthen bones, convert food into energy, and even repair your DNA.
Vitamin deficiency does not let your body function.
Most vitamins need to come from food because your body either doesn't produce them (or produces very little).
Vitamin deficiency test comes in two types:
The main difference is that you can store fat-soluble vitamins. Sometimes to a toxic level. But you can't store water soluble vitamins (with the exception of Vitamin B12).
Either way your body is always using them up to maintain your health. So you have to constantly replenish them or you will run out.
You could have low levels for a variety of reasons.
It could be because of your diet.
Many Vegans and some vegetarians will find it difficult to get enough B Complex vitamins. Especially vitamin B12 as plants do not produce it.
But it could also be a digestive issue, like a lack of key enzymes to extract the vitamins from the foods you do eat.
That's why periodic vitamin deficiency testing should be a part of any self care protocol.
And while you're looking at a vitamin test, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your minerals and micronutrients too for a complete nutrition deficiency test.
That's why we include them in our nutrition blood tests below. Take a look and pick the one that suits you.
A vitamin test is used to identify vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in a patient, which could be causing or contributing to chronic health issues or conditions. Nutritional imbalances can lead to conditions such as hair loss, fragile nails, white nail spots, insomnia, rashes, feeling unwell and other health problems. Vitamin deficiencies can also lead to more serious health conditions. These can have a drastic effect on your physical and mental well-being. That’s why taking a vitamin test regularly, either as part of a yearly checkup, or for particular symptoms is so important.
Your physician or nutritionist may order a vitamin test as part of your yearly checkup. Or you could do it yourself. If you feel any of the symptoms, like hair loss, fragile nails, white nail spots, insomnia, rashes, feeling unwell, depression or bleeding gums, then a vitamin test is often the first step to pinpointing the cause. A vitamin test is also an essential tool for anyone undergoing a big change affecting your digestion. For example surgeries on the stomach or digestive system, like gastric bypass. Or dietary changes can all affect your vitamin levels and should be monitored.
A vitamin test is a simple procedure. A small sample of your blood will be drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Then in a few days you will receive your results. One thing to note: our labs will include a reference range for each vitamin. Meaning a value for high and low level so that you can easily read your test results on your own. However your doctor or nutritionist might have another range that they use for their patients. Either is fine, but if you’re following a specific treatment plan then use the range provided in that plan.
To test for vitamin deficiency all you need to do is select a vitamin deficiency test from Private MD Labs and book your appointment. Then select a lab from over 4000 lab locations. Go there and take the test. Then in just a few days your results will be confidentially delivered to your email. Each test entry (each vitamin & mineral) will have a reference range next to it, meaning you will be able to see if you have a deficiency or not.
To test vitamin levels all you need to do is select a vitamin test from Private MD Labs and book your appointment. Then select a lab from over 4000 lab locations. Go there and take the test. Then in just a few days your results will be confidentially delivered to your email. Each test entry (each vitamin & mineral) will have a reference range next to it, meaning you will be able to see what your vitamin levels are.
Sources:
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 5 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 4 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 5 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Our Vitamin/nutrient Panel offers an overview of important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the body to assess any potential deficiencies or imbalances. People usually think of both vitamins and minerals as just vitamins, but they have some differences and are equally vital for the body to function correctly.
This panel will test vitamins B12 and Folates (also known as vitamin B9) which are useful to diagnose anemia, and vitamin D which is important for bone and hormonal health.
Iron is an important mineral needed in red blood cells to carry oxygen properly, and along with ferritin (a measure of your body's iron reserves), it can help diagnose anemia as well. Magnesium and zinc are also minerals and are responsible for muscle function, energy production, immune function, and hormone regulation to mention a few.
Methylmalonic acid is useful in understanding vitamin B12 deficiency and it aids in diagnosing certain genetic conditions.
This test also includes a Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP), which also includes kidney and liver function biomarkers, will allow you to assess your levels of electrolytes (also minerals) like calcium, potassium, chloride, and sodium. The CMP will also tell you your levels of total protein and glucose which are important nutrients used by the body to perform a multitude of metabolic functions.
Complete Blood Count / CBC (includes Differential and Platelets): WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet Count, MPV and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile ( includes eGFR ): Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated), Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT, AST, BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated), Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine with GFR Estimated, Globulin (calculated), Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Urea Nitrogen
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
Folate, RBC
Iron, Serum
Ferritin, Serum
Magnesium, Serum
Zinc
Methylmalonic Acid
You should fast for 12 hours before collection of the specimen. Fasting is defined as no consumption of food or beverage other than water for at least 12 hours before testing. Specimens should be collected in the morning since iron values decrease by 30% during the course of the day and there can be significant interference from lipemia. Some tests in this panel may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H or coenzyme R). In patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (ie, > 5 mg/day), no sample should be taken until at least eight hours after the last biotin administration. Patient should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample. Patient should not have vitamins containing folic acid during the previous three to five days; if so, consult physician before discontinuing.
Estimated turnaround for results is 5 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 1 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
No fasting required.
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 3 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Estimated turnaround for results is 5 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Same day lab order delivery
HSA/FSA reimbursable
Complete Blood Count / CBC (includes Differential and Platelets): WBC, RBC, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, Platelet Count, MPV and Differential (Absolute and Percent - Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils)
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile ( includes eGFR ): Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated), Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT, AST, BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated), Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine with GFR Estimated, Globulin (calculated), Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Urea Nitrogen
Vitamin B12 and Folates
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
Iron, Serum w/ TIBC
Ferritin, Serum
Magnesium RBC
Zinc, Plasma or Serum
Methylmalonic Acid, Serum
You should fast for 12 hours before collection of the specimen. Fasting is defined as no consumption of food or beverage other than water for at least 12 hours before testing. Some tests in this panel may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H or coenzyme R). Patient should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample. Calcitriol/Vitamin D, 1,25 Dihydroxy must be ordered separately. Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy is not the same as calcitriol or 1,25 dihydroxy.
Estimated turnaround for results is 8 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
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