Discover Which Vitamins You're Lacking With These Simple At-Home Tests

Did you take your multivitamin today? If not, you're not alone. Nearly a third of Americans1 are deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral. Those with poor or unvaried diets are at the most risk for being deficient. An at-home vitamin deficiency test is a relatively inexpensive, accessible way to reveal which vitamins you might need to supplement in your diet.

Vitamin deficiencies are not always tested in a doctor’s office for a few reasons. First, these tests are typically not covered by insurance, unless you have a known diagnosis. The symptoms of vitamin deficiencies can also be vague, making it difficult for providers to pinpoint a cause. Lastly, some healthcare providers are not comfortable treating vitamin deficiencies, especially for more obscure vitamins.Thankfully, the rise of at-home testing is making it easier to learn more about your body's vitamin and nutrient levels without a doctor's order. Just keep in mind, abnormal results should always be discussed with a healthcare professional (and we'd still recommend asking your primary care doctor for one whenever possible).

To help make your search for a reputable home test easier, we performed an analysis of the options available, and determined which stand out from the rest. Read on to learn more about home testing and discover our picks for the best at-home vitamin deficiency tests to uncover whether you're among the millions of people not hitting their optimal levels.

The best at-home vitamin deficiency tests of 2022:

Our bodies need 13 essential vitamins for optimal function, each of which has a specific job to do. A deficiency in one or more of these can result in the malfunctioning of various bodily functions, but each test varies slightly in the exact nutrients that it tests for.

As expected, most at-home tests don't include all 13 vitamins, but instead focus on vitamins D and B. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins to test for, since it’s estimated a billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient (and women are 11% more likely to be lacking in this vitamin). The common deficiency means every test on our list measures vitamin D levels—but many also explore other essential nutrients.

There are two sample types used for at-home tests: a finger prick (by a very small needle called a lancet) or a hair sample. With the finger prick, you’ll put drops of blood into a small vial or tube, which is then packaged up and mailed back to the lab. The hair sample requires just a few strands of hair pulled from your head. While many prefer the ease of the hair sample, this sample type is generally not as reliable as blood tests, and will not be suitable for someone who is bald. Additionally, hair samples may not be accurate for someone who dyes their hair or uses chemical treatments, such as keratin.

Most at-home brands use the same Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA) certified labs as doctor’s offices and hospitals, so these tests are generally just as accurate. They’re subject to the same clinical and accuracy standards, and if performed correctly, will give the same level of accuracy.

On that note, however, user error can come into play when using any at-home test. As UK-based medical provider and health enthusiast Michael Njunge notes, finger prick testing is only accurate if it’s done correctly. The blood needs to be taken from the right body part at the right time of day without contamination. For some, this can be a difficult task. If the blood sample is altered in any way, the results will be inaccurate.

Symptoms of a vitamin deficiency vary widely depending on which vitamin you're lacking, but some common signs include fatigue, skin changes, brain fog, weight loss, change in bowel habits, and generalized aches and pain, per Njunge.

The simplest way to think about deficiency? Reverse the benefit of that specific vitamin. For example, vitamin D is essential for bone health (among many other things). Njunge explains that a deficiency in vitamin D causes a loss of bone density, resulting in bones that can break easily.

Vitamins are essential for key bodily functions, such as cell activity, synthesis for mood neurotransmitters, muscle contractions, and more. A vitamin deficiency will deplete these processes, and can lead to serious complications. Depending on which vitamin you are lacking, your symptoms will be different. For instance, a low B12 can cause enlarged red blood cells that do not work properly, resulting in a lack of oxygen to essential organs.

The good news is that most vitamin deficiencies can be prevented or managed. Eating a healthy, varied diet is the best way to make sure you are getting all your required vitamins. Sometimes this is not possible based on food availability or geographical location, or if the individual does not have optimal GI absorption. The next best option is to enhance your nutrient intake with high-quality vitamins and supplements.

Holistic vitamin expert Pamela Peeke, M.D., MPH, confirms that supplements are a convenient way to fill nutritional gaps, since even the healthiest Americans can fall short in their dietary intake. Supplements offer a practical preventative path to maintaining good health, as well as a solution to known deficiencies.

Our picks for the best at-home vitamin deficiency tests of 2022:

LetsGetChecked

Pros:

Lots of options for testingQuick turnaround timePhone call from a nurse to review abnormal results

Cons:

Not recommended for anyone under the age of 22Cannot collect sample on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays

Collection Method: Finger prick

Coverage: Not currently covered by health insurance, but you may use HSA or FSA account

Checks Levels Of: Vitamin D, B12, E

Result Time: 2 to 5 days

LetsGetChecked has a range of at-home tests available, with vitamin deficiencies included in three of its kits. You can choose between a vitamin D-specific test, an essential vitamin test (vitamin D, B12, and E), or a comprehensive test that includes all vitamins in the essential test, plus copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.

The brand is transparent in its guidelines; if you're under 22-years-old, you'll not receive results for vitamin B12. It also limits blood sample collection days to Monday through Thursday, which you’ll need to be mindful of when planning your test. The secure online portal will present your results within two to five days of sending in your sample, and you can expect a nurse to call and discuss any abnormal levels.

Everlywell

Pros:

Results provided in a secure appUser-friendly directions

Cons:

Only tests for vitamin DInformational video is pre-recorded & not tailored to your specific results

Collection Method: Finger prick

Coverage: Not currently covered by health insurance, but you may use HSA or FSA account

Checks Levels Of: Vitamin D

Result Time: 5 to 7 days

Everlywell’s vitamin deficiency test evaluates either your vitamin D or B levels (although the vitamin B test is currently out of stock). The tests are relatively inexpensive, although they have a slightly longer wait time for results. The brand’s user-friendly packaging and directions make the whole testing experience fairly simple: You simply prick your finger with a lancet and send back your sample in a pre-labeled envelope. Your results will be delivered in a secure portal on the Everlywell app. A pre-record information video will help run through your results, however it won't be personalized to your specific reading. Taking the results to your primary care physician is a great way to ensure you're actually understanding the next steps.

5Strands

Pros:

Easy hair sample methodTests 80+ vitamins and minerals

Cons:

Long wait time for resultsResults may vary depending on the individual hair sample

Collection Method: Hair

Coverage: Not currently covered by health insurance, but you may use HSA or FSA account

Checks Levels Of: 80+ Vitamins and Minerals

Result Time: 1 to 2 weeks

If you want a complete picture of your vitamin and mineral deficiencies, 5Strands is a great option. For only $66, your sample is tested against 80+ vitamins and minerals. The results will reveal only the nutrients you are deficient in, so you won’t see any levels listed for those that are within “normal” range.

This brand is unique in that it requires just a few strands of your hair from your head rather than blood. The high-level technology uses bioresonance, which compares the light frequency of the hair sample to the electromagnetic frequencies of organic and inorganic matter.

Customer reviews are mixed on 5Strands, with the biggest complaint being that the report is very technical and hard to understand. The results give no context as to what an abnormal result means, so you will need to take your results to a healthcare specialist to translate the results (which we recommend in any case).

Rootine

Pros:

Offers a membership to retest every 3 monthsFast resultsFormulates a vitamin supplement based on your results for an extra charge

Cons:

ExpensiveDoes not include some key vitamins

Collection Method: Finger prick

Coverage: Not currently covered by health insurance, but you may use HSA or FSA account

Checks Levels Of: Vitamin B9 (folate), B12, D, hsCRP, and homocysteine

Result Time: 2 to 3 days

As a brand, Rootine prides itself on being a community of health enthusiasts. The company was founded by a working mom who wanted to dive deeper into the reasoning for her chronic fatigue.

This finger prick test includes vitamin B9, B12, D, hsCRP, and homocysteine (inflammation markers), providing solid insight into potential vitamin deficiencies. Rootine is the first brand to use a genetic assessment in its algorithm to better understand each individual’s unique nutrient needs—and there’s also professional coaching offered.