Vegan Vitamin Deficiency Blood Test
This vegan blood test has been designed to provide valuable information to humans following a vegan lifestyle. We understand the importance of ensuring that your body gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals to function optimally, so we have created this blood testing panel tailored to help you identify any potential deficiencies.
Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, can be more challenging to obtain in adequate amounts through a vegan diet alone. This is where our vegan blood tests come in – they provide a simple and effective way to check for potential vegan deficiencies and take action to ensure that your body is getting everything it needs.
Eating patterns solely based on vegan food can potentially lead you to miss out on important nutrients found in animal products:
Food source | You might be missing on… | Which are helpful for… |
Meat |
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Dairy products |
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Eggs |
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Fish |
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Whether you have chosen this lifestyle for ethical, environmental, or health reasons, or for your blood type, this blood test is for you.
Vegan Vitamin Deficiency
Results in 5 business days $240.00 Add to CartIncludes
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
Folate
Vitamin B12
Ferritin, serum
Total Iron, Iron Binding Capacity, % Saturation (calculated)
T3 Uptake; T4 (Thyroxine), Total; Free T4 Index (T7); Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Lipid Panel: Cholesterol, total; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (calculated); triglycerides; Non-HDL Cholesterol (calculated).
Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total; Vitamin D, 25-OH, D3; Vitamin D, 25-OH, D2
Patient Instructions
You should fast for 12-14 hours before collection of the specimen. Fasting is defined as no consumption of food or beverage other than water for at least 12-14 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.
Estimated turnaround for results is 5 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
What is a vegan vitamin deficiency blood test?
A vegan deficiency test is a blood test that measures the levels of key vitamins and minerals that are often deficient in a vegan diet.
What vitamins and minerals are included in these blood tests?
Vegan blood testing typically includes tests for:
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Folic acid
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
These are the nutrients that may be deficient if an individual has a strict vegan diet.
How often should I get a blood test for vegans?
Although the testing frequency for each individual on a vegan diet can vary, most professionals suggest getting this panel done at least twice a year. Usually, vegans suffer multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies and are prescribed supplements to improve their levels. Frequent blood testing is the best way to monitor treatment efficiency and health.
What happens if I have a nutrient deficiency?
It’s common for individuals following a vegan diet to experience deficiencies, which may be reflected in your test results. However, there’s no need to worry, as awareness is the first step towards treatment. We recommend scheduling a meeting with your doctor to discuss the best course of action.
In the meantime, you can ensure your eating habits follow these parameters to avoid nutritional deficiencies:
- Protein: Make sure to always mix things up when it comes to your meals by combining legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas with cereals like rice, quinoa, bulgur, oats, or couscous. Doing so will give you a complete amino acid profile similar to that of animal products.
- Iron: To enhance absorption of iron from plant sources, pair them with a source of vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or bell peppers. Plant-based sources of iron include beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, spinach, and fortified cereals.
- Calcium: You can find calcium in fortified plant-based milk, tofu made with calcium sulfate, and leafy greens such as kale and collard greens. You can consider taking a calcium supplement if you’re not getting enough calcium from your diet.
- Vitamin B12: As vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal products, vegans will need to get it from fortified foods such as plant-based milks, breakfast cereals, or nutritional yeast, or from a B12 supplement.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Vegans may also consider taking an algae-based omega-3 supplement. Plant-based sources of omega-3s include flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts.
Additionally, you can take a look at this healthy eating as a vegan guide.
Can I still take the vegan blood test if I'm not a vegan?
While this blood test is specifically designed for those following a vegan lifestyle, anyone interested in understanding the status of specific nutrients in their body can take the test to check their nutrient levels. While individuals who are not vegan are usually expected to have normal values across the board, everyone can get these tests done to maintain optimal health if they feel their eating habits are not optimal.
How long does it take to get the results?
You can expect your results to be available within 5 business days after the lab receives your blood sample.
How accurate is vegan blood testing?
These blood tests are highly accurate for measuring nutrient levels in the blood. However, like all blood tests, there can still be a small margin of error.
How does the Vegan Vitamin Deficiency Blood Test differ from other tests?
This test is specifically designed for individuals who follow a vegan lifestyle and focuses on measuring nutrient levels that are particularly relevant for this group of individuals, such as vitamin B12, iron and calcium
Who should not be on a vegan diet?
Certain individuals may not be suitable for a vegan diet, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with certain medical conditions, and those at risk for nutrient deficiencies. These individuals need to consult a doctor or registered dietitian before making any changes to their eating habits. Additionally, a vegan meal plan may not be suitable for individuals with certain cultural or personal beliefs.