Iron, Vitamin D & B12 Deficiency Blood Test

Iron, vitamin D and B12 are all essential to your health but are also the commonest deficiencies in the UK. Most people won't have any symptoms or will just feel run-down or a bit "off".

Some of us are at particularly high risk of iron, vitamin D or vitamin B12 deficiency:

• People on plant-based diets: one of the main sources of iron and vitamin B12 is meat. If you eat little or no meat you're at high risk of deficiency.
• Women before the menopause: losing iron with your monthly period can often lead to iron deficiency - particularly if periods are heavy.
• All of us in the UK: your body makes vitamin D when sunlight hits your skin. This means that nearly all of us in the UK are at risk of vitamin D deficiency during the winter months and it’s even more common in those with darker skin.

This simple blood test screens for all these common deficiencies and is particularly useful if you’re in one of the higher risk groups or if you’re just concerned that you’re not getting enough essential vitamins.

Picking up a deficiency means you can quickly work to fix it, whether by changing your diet or lifestyle, or by taking a supplement to boost your levels and solve any related symptoms.