What is the Vitamin Deficiency Test?

Do you want extra insight into your vitamin levels? This blood test checks the level of several essential vitamins that have important functions in your body. It is possible that despite a healthy and varied diet, people still have deficiencies of crucial vitamins. These deficiencies can be reversed with changes in diet or nutritional supplements. However, the first step is gaining insight into whether you are dealing with a vitamin deficiency or not. This blood test measures the concentration of vitamin B12, vitamin D and folic acid in your blood. Based on the results of this test, it can be determined whether there is a deficiency of these vitamins or not.

What’s in the test kit?

The test kit contains instructions for use, lancets to collect a few drops of blood, a blood collection tube, alcohol wipes, band-aids, a protective transport bag and a return envelope to send your sample to a certified laboratory.

What is the Homed-IQ testing process like?

Homed-IQ’s vitamin tests come with everything you need to successfully take a blood sample at home. Simply activate your test and follow the provided instructions to successfully collect the sample and then send it to our certified laboratory using the prepaid shipping label. The results will be available within a few days.

Vitamin B12

About ten percent of people living in Western countries suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is expected to be increasingly associated with the growing number of people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, as vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products, such as milk, meat, fish and eggs. Because your body stores vitamin B12, you often only notice after a few months that you have a possible deficiency. If you are deficient in vitamin B12, you can develop a form of anemia with symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and a lack of appetite. Elderly people with a vitamin B12 deficiency may also have problems with their memory. If you want to test specifically for anemia, you can do so with Homed-IQ’s Anemia Blood Test. If you would like to test your active Vitamin B12 levels, you can do so with Homed-IQ’s Active Vitamin B12 (Holo-TC) Test.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone that plays a role in calcium and phosphate absorption in the body. Most vitamin D is produced by the human body itself. This happens when your skin is exposed to UV rays from the sun. Vitamin D can also be found in a number of foods of animal origin, such as egg yolks, fatty fish, and dairy products. Vitamin D can also be found in mushrooms and fortified foods.

Vitamin D plays an important role in your body. It ensures the growth and maintenance of strong bones and teeth, ensures the functioning and recovery of your muscles, and promotes proper functioning of your immune system. You can also test your vitamin D levels using Homed-IQ’s Vitamin D Test.

Folic acid

Folic acid is a vitamin that your body cannot make on its own. While most people should obtain enough folic acid by eating a varied diet, according to research a substantial fraction of the Western population has a folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is mainly found in green vegetables, fruits and whole grains, but also in milk products. Common symptoms of folic acid deficiency are a loss of appetite, weight loss and/or fatigue. Adults need 300 micrograms of folic acid per day. Regardless of diet, pregnant women are advised to take at least 400 micrograms every day. It is also possible to test your folic acid levels with Homed-IQ’s Folic Acid Test.

How soon will I receive the results of this vitamin home test?

Once you have collected your sample and mailed it to our laboratory, it generally takes a few working days before you receive the test result. As soon as your test sample arrives at our laboratory you will receive a notification by email. Once your test result is ready, you will receive a text message and an email from us with a link to your test result. We will therefore keep you well informed throughout the entire testing process!

What does the result of this test mean?

This test measures the vitamin B12, vitamin D and folic acid levels in your blood. Based on the test result, it can be determined whether there is a deficiency of one of these crucial vitamins. You can then, if necessary, make adjustments to your diet or take specific supplements to remedy the vitamin deficiency.

Is it wise to take supplements based on the test result?

If the test result shows that you are deficient in certain vitamins, it is advisable to first look critically at your diet. Usually a varied and healthy diet provides adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals. If you cannot get enough vitamins from sunlight and/or your diet, you can go to a drugstore for vitamin supplements.

Vitamin B12

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency:

• Fatigue
• Muscle pain and loss of strength in muscles
• Shortness of breath and tightness
• Depression and confusion
• Concentration and memory problems
• Aphasia: not being able to find the right words

Vitamin D

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency:

• Problem sleeping
• Lethargy and fatigue
• Depression
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Hair loss
• Osteoporosis 

Folic Acid

Symptoms of Folic Acid deficiency:

• Fatigue
• Intestinal disorders
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Increased susceptibility to infections