Vitamin D & B12 Test from Home

Vitamin D test at home

In Dubai (generally in the Middle east and North Africa), the percentage of population with Vitamin D deficiency (lowest serum 25‑hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations) is higher than the average according to studies. Nightingale Health Services as a home care provider have DHA registered nurses who can come to your home and take the blood samples required for the Vitamin D-test and get the test result from approved labs in Dubai.

What is Vitamin D

There are mainly two forms of Vitamin D namely vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 are present in foods like breakfast cereals, milk, and other dairy items. We get Vitamin D3 from exposure to sunlight and is present in foods like eggs, fatty fish (like salmon, tuna etc.).

When we get vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 from natural resources, it reaches our bloodstream and are changed into a form of vitamin D called 25 hydroxyvitamin D [ or 25(OH)D].

Why do I want a Vitamin D blood test

A vitamin D blood test is used to measure the level of 25(OH)D in the blood. It most commonly occurs in people when they have inadequate sunlight exposure, abnormal levels of vitamin D can cause fatigue and muscle weakness, it can further indicate bone disorders, nutrition problems, organ damage, and/or other medical conditions.

Your doctor may prescribe a vitamin D test if you have the following symptoms of

• Feeling tiredness, fatigue and muscle weakness
• Bone softness
• Bone malformation – usually in children
• Fractures

In addition, breastfed babies are at higher risk if they aren’t taking vitamin D supplements.

How Vitamin D test at home is done?

Vitamin D test is a blood test. A DHA registered nurse will take the blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a needle (Don’t worry, our nurses will be very gentle). The blood is then collected into a test tube or vial. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.

What do the results mean?

If the results show a deficiency in vitamin D, it means:

• You are not getting enough exposure to sunlight
• There is not enough vitamin D in your diet
• You might be having trouble absorbing vitamin D in your food

A vitamin D deficiency is usually treated with supplements and/or dietary changes.

If you have a high level of vitamin d  or hypervitaminosis D, we suggest you stop taking the supplements.  Too much vitamin D can cause damage to your organs and blood vessels. To learn what your results mean please talk to your doctor.

How can I get vitamin D naturally?

Sunlight. You should be able to get all the required amount of Vitamin D from sunlight. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin. It’s plenty during late March/early April to the end of September. And take care of the Safety measures for your kids in Dubai’s heat. Between October and early March the amount of vitamin D we get from sunlight is less

Vitamin D is also found in some foods like oily fish (like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel), red meat, liver, egg yolks, and some fortified foods and breakfast cereals. There are also Dietary supplements which can give you some vitamin D.

How do I prepare for the test?

There aren’t any special preparations needed for a vitamin D test. If you are on any medications, please mention in the “Vitamin D test at Home” enquiry form.

Vitamin B12 Test from Home

What is vitamin B12 test from Home?

A vitamin B12 test at home helps you to measure the amount of vitamin B12 in the blood. It helps in diagnosing and evaluating the nutritional status in some people,  the evaluate the cause of anemia or neuropathy;  or to monitor the effectiveness of vitamin B12 treatment.

What is the Importance of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is important for good health. Your body needs steady levels of Vitamin B12 to make enough RBC (red blood cells) and keep your nervous system working. If you are eating a balanced diet, it is unlikely that you will get Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Why do I need a test?

There are several reasons for testing B-12, Your doctor may recommend if

• You’ve been diagnosed with anemia.
• Any medical condition which effects the body and reduce the absorption of Vitamin B12
• On medications which hinders the absorption of Vitamin B12
• If you are on a very strict vegan diet

Also if you have the following symptoms

• Fatigue
• Fuzzy thinking
• Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
• Headaches
• Moodiness

How Vitamin B12 test at home is done?

Vitamin B12 test is a blood test. So a registered nurse will take the blood sample from the vein in your arm.