This test is ideal for anybody wishing to identify their vitamin levels, particularly if you feel you may be deficient due to lifestyle or diet.
For example, vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Everyone in the UK is at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to the climate, however people of African or African-Caribbean origin may be at higher risk because your bodies may not be able to make as much vitamin D.
You must be over 18 years old to use this test.
Vitamin D deficiency
Low levels of vitamin D affect your bones and muscles, as well as playing a significant role in your nervous system and immune system. Vitamin D maintains the balance of calcium in your blood and bones to help maintain and build bones.
With a chronic or severe deficiency, calcium absorption levels will decline and can cause muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue and depression. When your body tries to balance the calcium levels, it takes calcium from your bones which leads to accelerated bone breakdown, sometimes leading to soft bones (osteomalacia), osteoporosis and rickets.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is used to form red blood cells, as well as help brain function and nerve cell development. A vitamin B12 deficiency leads to a lack of red blood cells, causing anaemia. In turn, this means you have fewer functioning blood cells carrying oxygen to your tissues and organs, affecting their function and health.
Typical symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include weak muscles, numb or tingling hands or feet, decreased appetite, nausea, irritability, fatigue and heart palpitations.
Vitamin B9 deficiency
Also known as Folate, Vitamin B9 is found naturally in many foods including leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, eggs, meat and grains. Like vitamin B12, it is used by the body to create new, healthy blood cells, and a deficiency can lead to Folate Anaemia.
A deficiency is commonly caused by not eating a balanced, healthy diet. It can also be caused by digestive diseases which prevent folate absorption, such as Crohn's or Coeliac disease, excess alcohol consumption, overcooking food which destroys the natural folate, or certain medications which impact absorption such as for ulcerative colitis.
Folate deficiency or anaemia can cause symptoms such as pale skin, irritability, shortness of breath, dizziness, mouth sores, memory loss, lack of energy, weight loss, depression and muscle weakness.
Learn more about vitamin deficiencies and their symptoms - read our helpful Health Hub article on Vitamin Deficiencies and testing.
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