The 4 Best At-Home Vitamin D Tests of 2023

• Highest-rated: Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
• Best for medical support: LetsGetChecked Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
• Best for fast delivery: myLAB Box Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
• Best affordable: CVS Health At Home Vitamin D Test Kit | Skip to review

Vitamin D, also known as “the sunshine vitamin,” is a hormone produced in your body when your skin reacts with sunlight and other nutrients in your body.

Vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods, but it is essential to healthy bones and a properly functioning immune system, among other things.

According to a 2018 study that analyzed national health data from 2001 to 2010, 28.9% of people in the United States have a vitamin D deficiency, 40.1% have insufficient vitamin D, and fewer than 30% have enough vitamin D to maintain optimal health.

Globally, it is estimated about 50% of people have insufficient levels of vitamin D.

Thankfully, testing your vitamin D levels is relatively easy. Keep reading to learn about four of the best at-home vitamin D tests.

We considered the following factors when determining which products should make our list:

• Company reputation: We selected tests that reputable companies offered. Furthermore, our internal vetting team thoroughly vetted each company based on its business practices.
• Lab certification: All the tests below are processed in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified facilities to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Test methodology: During vetting, Healthline’s medical experts reviewed the methodology behind each test to ensure it’s based on sound science.
• Customer reviews: We chose tests that have mostly positive online ratings and paid close attention to mentions of overall value and ease of use.

Read more about Healthline’s vetting process and standards.

If you and your healthcare professional have determined that you would benefit from an at-home vitamin D test, there are some factors you’ll want to consider as you choose:

• Time: How fast do you need your results? What is the expected turnaround time from this company?
• Cost: How much does this test cost compared to your insurance copay at a lab? Do you have FSA/HSA funds you could use?
• Support: Will you be able to talk about your results with a qualified medical professional? It can be stressful to get lab results with no interpretation.
• Accreditation: Does this company work with a reputable lab, preferably accredited by laboratory accreditation agencies?

A vitamin D test tells you how much vitamin D is in your bloodstream. This is a little more complicated than you might think, as vitamin D undergoes several changes before it can be used in your body.

The vitamin D you eat and naturally produce from sun exposure starts as previtamin D, which then gets converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) in the liver. Later, the kidneys convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) into the biologically active form, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D.

Most vitamin D tests measure the total amount of 25-OH D in your blood. This is because 25-OH D has a longer half-life than 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (meaning, it remains in your bloodstream longer and is a more accurate measure of how much vitamin D your body has to work with).

25-OH D lasts in the bloodstream for around 14 days. By comparison, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D has a half-life of just a few hours. Its levels may not decrease with vitamin D deficiency or change in a way that is clear until vitamin D deficiency is severe.

How do vitamin D tests work?

Vitamin D tests need a blood sample to measure 25-OH D levels. In a doctor’s office or a lab, a trained technician called a phlebotomist draws blood from a vein in your arm. At-home tests typically have you prick and squeeze a finger to collect a smaller blood sample.

Most at-home testing kits use a finger prick collection method to measure vitamin D levels. Though the exact procedure may vary depending on your specific kit, this process generally involves:

1. cleaning your finger using an alcohol pad
2. removing the top of the disposable lancet
3. placing the lancet on the finger you want to draw blood from
4. pushing down until you hear a click
5. pressing your finger on the collection card where indicated
6. mailing your sample to the provided address

Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions included with your kit to ensure that you receive accurate and timely results.

A vitamin D test might be beneficial for:

• people who don’t get regular sun exposure
• those at risk for vitamin D deficiency
• people with dairy allergies or those who follow restrictive diets
• individuals who have low levels of other important nutrients, like magnesium (which plays a crucial role in vitamin D activation in the body)
• those with symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency
• people taking vitamin D supplements to check whether their vitamin D levels are improving

People who may be at a higher risk of deficiency, include:

• older adults
• those with darker skin tones
• those who have undergone bariatric surgery
• people following restrictive diets
• people with certain conditions, including obesity, Crohn’s disease, and chronic liver or kidney disease

Your physician or healthcare professional can help you determine if you are at risk for low vitamin D and whether testing would be helpful.

Read more about healthy vitamin D levels and improving yours through diet and supplements.

How often should I test my vitamin D levels?

If you have a vitamin D deficiency, regular testing may help you and your healthcare professional determine whether your treatment plan is working or if it should be adjusted.

Here’s how often you might want to consider monitoring your levels:

• During treatment: Research suggests that it’s best to wait at least 3 months before retesting to see if your levels have changed after your treatment plan, which can help avoid unnecessary stress and medical expenses.
• For maintaining healthy vitamin D levels: If you’re concerned about your vitamin D or are at high risk for a deficiency, testing vitamin D twice a year — in the spring and again in the fall — can alert you to any changes.

Be sure to speak with a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about your vitamin D levels and check in with them before trying an at-home testing kit.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps you maintain strong bones and muscles by helping to absorb calcium and phosphorus (two other micronutrients essential to healthy bones).

Additionally, a vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and cancer. Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with poorer cognitive function in older adults.

It’s estimated that about 40% of the U.S. adult population has low levels of vitamin D, while nearly 29% has a vitamin D deficiency.

Most people with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency may have no symptoms. However, a healthcare professional can identify the following signs of a vitamin D deficiency:

• low calcium levels
• overactive parathyroid
• fragile bones
• muscle twitching and weakness
• fatigue
• rickets, which may develop in children
• depression, including seasonal affective disorder

If you have a deficiency, a healthcare professional may recommend supplementation to help increase vitamin D levels.

• To learn more about your test results: If you have test results and you’d like to understand them better, it’s a good time to reach out to a healthcare professional. They can help you interpret the results and determine the next steps.
• To have a general checkup: Even if you’re in good health, if you haven’t seen a doctor in a while, you can ask for a general health screening that includes testing your vitamin D levels.
• To discuss symptoms that may be affecting your daily life: If you’re experiencing symptoms like constant or increased tiredness, hair loss, slow wound healing, or chronic pain, it’s a good idea to contact a health professional. They can check your vitamin D levels with a blood test and help you rule out other causes of your symptoms.
• If changes to boost vitamin D have not seemed to help: If spending more time in the sun and increasing your dietary intake of vitamin D haven’t improved how you’re feeling, it’s worth talking with a healthcare professional.

What is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test?

A 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is a test that measures the amount of 25-OH vitamin D in your blood. It’s the most accurate way to measure how much vitamin D is in your body. The test can determine whether your vitamin D levels are too high or too low.

The test is also known as the 25-OH vitamin D test and the calcidiol 25-hydroxycholecalciferol test. It can be an important indicator of osteoporosis (bone weakness) and rickets (bone malformation).

What is the standard range for vitamin D levels?

Most vitamin D tests measure the total amount of 25-OH D in your blood.

According to the ODS, adequate 25-OH D levels range from 20 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL. Levels below 12 ng/mL are typically associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Are at-home vitamin D tests accurate?

Accuracy can depend on sample collection. User error is always possible with at-home tests, so it’s important to carefully follow the instructions provided. Overall, at-home vitamin D tests may be as accurate as traditional lab tests if performed correctly.

But given the margin for error, it may be best to have your blood drawn at a lab facility by a certified lab technician. Give your physician a call if you are unsure whether at-home or in-lab testing is right for you.

How can I increase my vitamin D levels?

You can increase your vitamin D levels by:

• spending time in the sun (you need about 10 to 15 minutes in the sun without sun protection on 40% of your body)
• eating foods containing vitamin D
• taking supplements containing vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important micronutrient because it plays a large role in bone and immune system health. Many people with vitamin D deficiency don’t experience any symptoms. So, testing your vitamin D levels may help provide information about your health.

An at-home test is a convenient way to monitor your vitamin D levels. Note that there isn’t much research available on the benefits of screening for vitamin D deficiency.

Before ordering a test, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine whether testing is needed and, if so, how often. A healthcare professional can also recommend any at-home testing options and advise you on your results and treatment for a vitamin D deficiency.