Vitamin D test · Plymouth
A Vitamin D test, with your result explained.
The most commonly low vitamin in the UK, especially over winter. Find out your level rather than guess. No GP referral needed.
Why test
Why so many of us run low.
Your skin makes Vitamin D from sunlight. From about October to March the sun in the UK is too low for this, so levels fall over winter. That is why the NHS advises everyone to consider a daily supplement in autumn and winter.
Low Vitamin D often causes no symptoms at all. When it does, it tends to be vague: aching bones, weak muscles or tiredness. A blood test is the only way to know your level, and whether you need more than a standard supplement.
Good to know
- 25-OH Vitamin D, the standard measure
- No fasting needed
- Results the next working day
- No GP referral needed
- Prices are on our price list
Choose your test
Choose your test.
Vitamin D on its own, or check it alongside other common gaps. Tiredness has many causes, and B12, Folate and Iron are worth knowing too.
25-OH Vitamin D. The most commonly low vitamin in the UK.
Both together, the pair most worth checking before starting B12 injections.
12 results. Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folate, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium and a complete Iron panel.
Want the full picture? Our Vitamins and Minerals page explains all the nutrient tests.
What is measured
What your level means.
| Result | What it means | What usually happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Below 25 nmol/L | Deficient | Usually needs treatment, often a higher dose course than a standard supplement. |
| 25 to 50 nmol/L | Insufficient | A daily supplement is usually advised, especially over winter. |
| Above 50 nmol/L | The level to aim for | Keep going with what you are doing. |
| Very high | Usually from too much supplement | Too much Vitamin D can raise Calcium. Do not take more than 100 micrograms a day unless advised. |
Right here in Plymouth
Local care, close to home.
Your blood test is at Tor Clinical Rooms, 3 Darklake View, Plymouth PL6 7TL. Free parking on site, and easy to reach from the A38.
Who it is for
Worth checking if this sounds like you.
- Darker skin
- Covering most of your skin when outdoors
- Spending most of the day indoors
- Aged 65 or over
- Carrying extra weight
- Coeliac or Crohn’s disease
- Aching bones or weak muscles
- Taking a high-dose supplement and want a check
Already taking a supplement?
Keep taking it as normal before your test.
If you started a higher dose course, wait about 3 months before retesting, so the result reflects your new level.
Your results
What your results mean.
Your result comes with a plain English summary of what your level means and whether you need to do anything.
If your level is low, we explain the options. That might be a standard daily supplement, or a short higher dose course followed by a retest.
Blood tests give information. They do not diagnose a condition on their own. We explain your results in the context of your symptoms, medicines and history.
How it works
Four simple steps.
Book online, by phone on 01752 938102, or by email at Hello@TamarHealth.com.
Book
Pick your test and a time. £25 secures your slot, and the balance is paid in clinic.
Fill in your new patient form
Once you have booked, we send you a form. Tell us which test you want, and share your medical history so we can make sure it is right for you.
Come to the clinic
No fasting needed. Take any supplements as normal. The sample takes a few minutes.
Get your results
Most results come back the next working day, by email, with a clinician summary in plain English. Anything urgent, we phone you the same day.
Questions people ask
The things people most often ask before booking.
About Vitamin D
When is the best time to test?
Levels are usually lowest in late winter. Testing then shows you at your lowest. After starting treatment, retest after about 3 months.
Can I just take a supplement without testing?
Yes. The NHS advises a daily 10 microgram supplement in autumn and winter for most people. Testing helps if you are in a higher risk group, have symptoms, or want to know if a standard dose is enough.
Can I take too much?
Yes. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day unless a clinician advises it. Too much can raise Calcium in your blood.
What our patients say
Other ways we can help
Book your Vitamin D test
No GP referral needed. Most results the next working day.