At-home vitamin D tests may provide insights into your health. When followed by a consultation with a doctor, it can be a first step in managing a common nutritional deficiency.
Share on PinterestQuick look at the best home vitamin D tests
- Best overall: Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
- Best for medical support: LetsGetChecked Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
- Best for fast results: myLAB Box Vitamin D Test | Skip to review
- Best low cost vitamin D test: CVS Health At Home Vitamin D Test Kit | Skip to review
Vitamin D helps you maintain strong bones and muscles. But deficiencies are common among older adults, those with darker skin tones, people with liver or kidney disease, and folks following restrictive diets.
If you’re at risk of vitamin D deficiency or are worried about your levels, an at-home test may be a good first step. Here, we explain how the hydroxy-25 vitamin D test works, who should use it, and recommend the best options.
What is the hydroxy-25 vitamin D test?
The most accurate measurement of your vitamin D levels is a 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. It measures your blood level of 25-OH vitamin D, or the form of D that is converted and used by your body.
Done through a blood draw in a doctor’s office or via a finger prick blood sample at part of an at-home kit, this test can determine whether your vitamin D levels are too high, too low, or adequate.
This test is also known by other names, including 25(OH) D, calcidiol, or cholecalciferol test. It can be an important indicator of vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to osteoporosis (bone weakness) and rickets (bone malformation).
The 25(OH)D test is particularly useful for individuals at risk of a deficiency, such as those with limited sun exposure, people who eat a vegan diet, or people with medical conditions that make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food or to convert vitamin D into a usable form.
Healthline’s picks for at-home vitamin D tests
Best overall
Everlywell At-Home Vitamin D Test
4.8 (223+) from Everlywell- Collection method: finger prick
- Results in: 5 to 7 days
- Accepts insurance: HSA/FSA only
- Price: $49.00
Use code “HEALTHLINE25” for 25% off.
$49 AT EVERLYWELLPrice may vary.
Healthline's review
Everlywell is one of the more well-known at-home health and wellness testing services. They offer a large number of at-home blood tests and have overall very positive reviews. In fact, according to their website, 97% of reviewers would recommend Everlywell’s at-home vitamin D test to a friend.
The Everlywell vitamin D test measures your 25-OH D levels. The results tell you the amount of vitamin D in your blood.
The test comes with everything you’ll need for the finger prick blood sample and includes prepaid shipping for returning your sample. Once it arrives, a team of physicians will review your lab results. The company estimates you’ll receive results around 5–7 days after shipping the sample.
Your lab results come with an easy-to-read report to help you take health-promoting, actionable steps. You also have the option to attend a live webinar led by a healthcare professional.
Pros & cons
- relatively affordable
- health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) cards accepted
- physician-reviewed results
- CLIA certified labs
- is not covered by insurance
- doesn't include personalized follow-up with a healthcare professional
- not available in New York
- relatively affordable
- health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) cards accepted
- physician-reviewed results
- CLIA certified labs
- is not covered by insurance
- doesn't include personalized follow-up with a healthcare professional
- not available in New York
Product details
- Follow-up guidance: a recorded educational session
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
- Follow-up guidance: a recorded educational session
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
Best for medical support
LetsGetChecked Vitamin D Test
- Collection method: finger prick
- Results in: 5 days
- Accepts insurance: FSA/HSA only, offers itemized receipt for reimbursement
- Price: $89.00
Use code “HEALTHLINE25" for 25% off
$89 AT LETSGETCHECKEDPrice may vary.
Healthline's review
LetsGetChecked is unique for the medical support they offer. After taking the test, you’ll have access to a team of nurses 24/7. A nurse will also call you to help you understand your results.
The test comes with all the materials you need to collect a sample, test directions, and a shipping label for return. For this test, LetsGetChecked requests you collect your sample in the morning. Physicians will review the test results and lab analysis.
LetsGetChecked labs are CLIA certified and accredited with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), which are the highest levels of accreditation. The kits are also manufactured within an ISO 13485-accredited facility, the highest level of accreditation for medical devices.
Keep in mind that this test can’t be used in New York due to restrictions on home test kits within the state.
Pros & cons
- includes follow-up with a nurse
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- physician-reviewed results
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- not available in New York
- includes follow-up with a nurse
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- physician-reviewed results
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- not available in New York
Product details
- Follow-up guidance: free nurse assistance to discuss results
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
- Follow-up guidance: free nurse assistance to discuss results
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
Best for fast results
myLAB Box Vitamin D Test
5 (4+) from myLAB Box- Collection method: finger prick
- Results in: 1 to 5 days
- Accepts insurance: FSA/HSA only
- Price: $89.00
Price may vary.
Healthline's review
MyLAB Box offers a series of at-home tests to monitor your health and wellness.
For this test, you’ll collect a blood sample via finger prick. myLAB Box offers fast results by including a free shipping label and provides you with results 2–5 days after receiving the sample.
The company is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). myLAB Box also states that it works with CLIA and CAP certified labs.
Pros & cons
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- quick turnaround time
- not available in New York
- doesn't include follow-up care with a healthcare professional
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- quick turnaround time
- not available in New York
- doesn't include follow-up care with a healthcare professional
Product details
- Follow-up guidance: none
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
Women-Founded
- Follow-up guidance: none
- Returns: no returns or refunds
- Shipping: free shipping
Women-Founded
Best low cost vitamin D test
CVS Health At Home Vitamin D Test Kit
4.5 (63+) from CVS- Collection method: finger prick
- Results in: 3–5 days
- Accepts insurance: FSA/HSA only
- Price: $29.99
Price may vary.
Healthline's review
This affordable at-home testing kit is one of the most widely available options to help monitor your vitamin D levels, as it can be purchased both online and in-store at many CVS locations.
It includes a finger prick sample collection kit and prepaid shipping supplies to mail your sample to the company’s CAP accredited and CLIA certified labs.
Results are available within 3–5 days via the company’s secure online portal, which also includes educational resources and tools to schedule follow-up care if needed.
Pros & cons
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- affordable
- widely available, in-store and online
- not available in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island
- doesn't include follow-up care with a healthcare professional
- CLIA and CAP certified labs
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
- affordable
- widely available, in-store and online
- not available in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island
- doesn't include follow-up care with a healthcare professional
Product details
- Follow-up guidance: educational resources and tools to schedule follow-up care as needed
- Returns: free returns on CVS Pharmacy private brand products
- Shipping: varies by location, free for orders of $35 or more
- Follow-up guidance: educational resources and tools to schedule follow-up care as needed
- Returns: free returns on CVS Pharmacy private brand products
- Shipping: varies by location, free for orders of $35 or more
At-home vitamin D tests compared
-Price per testTime to resultsMedical supportPayment optionsEverlywell$495–7 daysphysician reviews resultsFSA/HSA eligibleLetsGetChecked$892–5 days• physician review• 24/7 nurse supportFSA/HSA eligiblemyLAB Box$892–5 daysno consultation includedFSA/HSA eligibleCVS Health At Home$39.993–5 daysno consultation includedFSA/HSA eligibleHow we chose 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.
Who should take a vitamin D test?
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
How often should I test my vitamin D levels?
Research suggests that it’s best to wait at least 3 months before retesting to see if your vitamin D levels have changed after starting your treatment plan, which can help avoid unnecessary stress and medical expenses.
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 of any changes.
How to choose an at-home vitamin D test
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?
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 a day in the sun without sun protection on 40% of your body)
- eating foods containing vitamin D
- taking supplements containing vitamin D
When to speak with a doctor
- 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 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 haven’t 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check my vitamin D levels at home?
You can check your vitamin D levels at home using an at-home test kit, which typically involves a simple finger prick blood sample. After collecting your sample, you can send it in for analysis.
These kits provide a convenient and accurate way to monitor vitamin D levels, especially for those at risk of deficiency.
You can check your vitamin D levels at home using an at-home test kit, which typically involves a simple finger prick blood sample. After collecting your sample, you can send it in for analysis.
These kits provide a convenient and accurate way to monitor vitamin D levels, especially for those at risk of deficiency.
Are there any instant vitamin D tests?
Currently, there are no rapid tests for vitamin D. Vitamin D levels are typically measured through blood tests that require laboratory analysis, which can take a few days to process.
Currently, there are no rapid tests for vitamin D. Vitamin D levels are typically measured through blood tests that require laboratory analysis, which can take a few days to process.
Are at-home tests reliable?
They can be. Look for tests with the highest levels of both sensitivity and specificity, says Dr. Philip Ngo, a pharmacist and drug information expert in Houston, Texas.
It’s also important to follow the test instructions carefully to reduce the chances of user error.
Consider confirming any result with a healthcare professional, nutritionist, or dietitian.
“It’s important to have another provider, in reading these tests and interpreting the results, to give you a formal diagnosis, versus you trying to wing it yourself and guessing at it,” Ngo said.
They can be. Look for tests with the highest levels of both sensitivity and specificity, says Dr. Philip Ngo, a pharmacist and drug information expert in Houston, Texas.
It’s also important to follow the test instructions carefully to reduce the chances of user error.
Consider confirming any result with a healthcare professional, nutritionist, or dietitian.
“It’s important to have another provider, in reading these tests and interpreting the results, to give you a formal diagnosis, versus you trying to wing it yourself and guessing at it,” Ngo said.
The bottom line
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 purchasing 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.