Supplements Vitamins & Minerals Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing By SaVanna Shoemaker Updated on May 06, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Haley Mast Fact checked by Haley Mast LinkedIn Haley has a professional and educational background reviewing, transcribing, and curating technical content. Her extensive background in research and analytics contribute to her adept editorial profession. She is currently finishing her Batchelor's of Science through Harvard University Extension with a background in social, environmental, and health studies. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. At-home micronutrient testing kits allow individuals to easily check their blood levels of certain vitamins and minerals without leaving home. You collect your sample, mail it in, and receive your results electronically. In some cases, micronutrient testing at home may also be less expensive than having lab work done at a medical facility. The best at-home micronutrient testing offers simple sample-collection methods and utilizes labs that follow strict quality control and materials-handling guidelines to ensure the accuracy of results. Some may offer tests for several micronutrients from one blood sample, while others may check a single biomarker. Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing of 2022 Best Overall: LetsGetChecked Home Micronutrient Test Best for Rapid Results: LetsGetChecked Essential Vitamin Test Best for Accuracy: Rootine Blood Vitamin Test Best on a Budget: Thorne Vitamin D Test Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing View All Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing LetsGetChecked Home Micronutrient Test LetsGetChecked Essential Vitamin Test Rootine Blood Vitamin Test Thorne Vitamin D Test Final Verdict Compare At-Home Micronutrient Testing Guide for Choosing the Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Best Overall : LetsGetChecked Home Micronutrient Test Let’s Get Checked Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Approximately $199Availability: Not available in New YorkResults: Available in two to five days Why We Chose It The Home Micronutrient Test from LetsGetChecked earned our best overall spot because it is thorough, easy to use, and offers fast results. Pros & Cons Pros Tests for seven micronutrients Results in two to five days Clear instructions Cons More expensive than other tests Only checks for one of the B vitamins Multiple-step sample collection Get 30% off with code Verywell30 Overview LetsGetChecked offers a variety of at-home health tests, and its Home Micronutrient Test is one of the most thorough home nutrient tests available—assessing your blood levels of vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin E, copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. The Home Micronutrient Test from LetsGetChecked earns our top spot because it’s comprehensive, fast, and conducted by a trustworthy lab. The test can be ordered online for roughly $199, and you can use Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Spending Account (HSA) funds to pay for it. Shipping is free, and the test should arrive within five business days. The sample-collection process is fairly straightforward, but there are several steps involved so it’s important to closely follow the directions. There is a helpful explainer video on the LetsGetChecked website if you need extra guidance to prepare your sample. First, you’ll need to activate your kit online or via the LetsGetChecked app. Then, you’ll need to collect your sample and mail it back. After collecting your sample and returning it to LetsGetChecked, you can expect to receive your results in two to five days. Results can be viewed online or in the app. According to their website, your sample will be processed in the same labs used by healthcare providers’ offices and hospitals. Its labs are also approved by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)—a quality assessment program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). LetsGetChecked has a mobile app available in the Apple Store and Google Play that allows you to order tests and view your results. Overall, reviewers are pleased with LetsGetChecked tests and the testing experience they provide. However, some express that they’d like more information and health recommendations after receiving their results. Note that the test is not available in New York due to legal restrictions. Best for Rapid Results : LetsGetChecked Essential Vitamin Test Let’s Get Checked Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Approximately $109Availability: Not available in New York Results: Available in two to five days Why We Chose It For a quick check of some key vitamin levels, the Essential Vitamin Test from LetsGetChecked is a great choice and offers results in as little as two days. Pros & Cons Pros Results in two to five days CLIA certified and CAP approved Detailed video instructions Cons Reviewers want more post-result recommendations More expensive than comparable tests Not a comprehensive micronutrient panel Get 30% off with code Verywell30 Overview The Essential Vitamin Test from LetsGetChecked assesses your blood levels for three key vitamins that may be low for certain people (like vegans): vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin E. The test can be ordered online for about $109 (with free shipping), and you can use FSA or HSA funds to pay for it. It should arrive at your home about five days after ordering. LetsGetChecked’s laboratory is CLIA certified and CAP approved, so you can trust your test results to be accurate as long as the finger-prick blood sample was taken correctly. To complete the test and get your results, you’ll first need to activate the test on the LetsGetChecked app or website. Then, collect your sample and mail it off. You’ll be notified when your results are ready. If you have the LetsGetChecked app, you can use it to both order tests and check your results. LetsGetChecked has overall positive reviews, but some reviewers would like more health recommendations from the company after receiving their results. Note that due to legal restrictions, the test is not available in New York. Best for Accuracy : Rootine Blood Vitamin Test Rootine Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Approximately $105Availability: Not available in New YorkResults: Available in about three days after your kit arrives at the lab Why We Chose It Rootine’s Blood Vitamin Tests are conducted in a CLIA-certified lab. Pros & Cons Pros CLIA certified lab Pairs blood and DNA testing for customized supplements Tests for 5 analytes Cons Subscription is expensive Vague sample-collection instructions on website Overview This blood test from Rootine checks your vitamin B9, vitamin B12, hsCRP, and homocysteine levels. It’s an optional part of their vitamin subscription service, and your results can be used to customize the vitamin formulation you receive. The Blood Vitamin Test can be ordered online for roughly $105. You can also opt in to their monthly vitamin subscription for about $69 per month. Rootine also offers an optional DNA test for about $105. Shipping is free, but Rootine is not eligible for FSA or HSA funds, and the test cannot be shipped to New York. Rootine shines in its quality control processes. Not only are its labs CLIA approved, but it also conducts extensive in-house and third-party testing on its supplements through NSF, Institut Kurz, and GE. The test kit requires a simple finger prick. However, the full instructions for the test are not provided online—at least, not outside of the member area. Results will be ready approximately 3 days after your blood sample is received. Although the subscription is expensive, many reviewers say that it’s worth it, and they feel much more confident in Rootine vitamins than other brands because they are specially formulated based on their DNA and blood testing results. Rootine also pairs your test results with your DNA information to make customized vitamins in microbead formulations, which are easier to swallow and may offer time-release benefits superior to pills. Best on a Budget : Thorne Vitamin D Test Thorne Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Approximately $99Availability: Not available in Maryland, Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, New York, New Jersey, or Rhode IslandResults: In eight to 10 business days Why We Chose It If you’re on a budget, single nutrient tests are more cost efficient than a more complete panel. The Vitamin D Test from Thorne is less than $100 and offers insights into your vitamin D status, which for most people in the United States is less than optimal. Pros & Cons Pros Less than $100 Can be paired with Thorne supplements CLIA or CAP certified Cons Only one biomarker tested Unavailable in seven states Thorne supplements can be expensive Overview If you can only afford one test, this one from Thorne—a reputable supplement company—is a good choice. According to the National Institutes of Health, most people don’t get enough vitamin D for optimal health. Most home tests that assess your blood levels of multiple biomarkers cost well over $100, so it’s more cost efficient to choose one marker to test. This Vitamin D Test from Thorne costs about $99; shipping is free, and your test should arrive within three to four days after ordering. Thorne does accept HSA and FSA funds for its tests, although you may need to request reimbursement after purchase rather than using the funds up front. You can also subscribe to save 20% on future retests. To test, you’ll need to first activate your kit on the Thorne website. Then, take a finger-prick blood sample and mail it in. Your results will be ready within 10 business days. If your vitamin D levels are low, you’ll be given an option to purchase or subscribe to Thorne vitamin D supplements, which can be expensive compared to other brands. While Thorne has a mobile app for iOS, it appears to be mostly for shopping and not designed to support test results or other functions. Thorne contracts with labs that are either CLIA or CAP certified to help ensure quality and consistency in its processes. There are few reviews available for its tests, but most are favorable and say that the tests provided some valuable insights. Note that unlike other testing companies, Thorne excludes seven states from its tests due to legal restrictions: Maryland, Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Final Verdict There are only a handful of companies offering at-home micronutrient testing, despite the fact that this is a popular service. Rootine offers micronutrient tests as part of their supplement subscription model. Thorne also offers limited micronutrient testing, like their Vitamin D test. LetsGetChecked offers a comprehensive micronutrient test that checks your levels of seven different vitamins and minerals, and you may have your results back in as little as two days. LetsGetChecked also utilizes CLIA- and CAP-certified laboratories and provides clear and thorough testing instructions for their customers. Compare the Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing Company Cost No. States Available Time for Results Biomarkers Tested (#) LetsGetChecked Home Micronutrient Test Best Overall Approximately $199 49 2-5 days 7 LetsGetChecked Essential Vitamin Test Best for Rapid Results Approximately $109 49 2-5 days 3 Rootine Blood Vitamin Test Best for Accuracy Approximately $105 49 ~3 days 4 Thorne Vitamin D Test Best Budget Approximately $99 43 10 business days 1 Guide for Choosing the Best At-Home Micronutrient Testing Is At-Home Micronutrient Testing Worth It? Micronutrient testing may be something for you to consider if you’re: Showing signs of a vitamin deficiency: Unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or changes to your hair, skin, and nail quality may be signs of a vitamin deficiency. A home micronutrient test can help shed light on what could be causing these issues, but you should always follow up with a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms such as these. Concerned about your diet: If you are worried that your diet may not be providing all of the nutrients you need, a home micronutrient test can help provide some answers and show you some areas in which your diet may need to be tweaked to support optimal health. In a group that may be at higher risk of vitamin deficiency: Certain groups of people may be at higher risk of experiencing nutrient deficiencies. For example, vegans are generally at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 comes primarily from animal foods and requires supplementation in the vegan diet. People with darker skin may be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency because they synthesize less vitamin D during sun exposure than people with lighter skin. Pregnant women may be interested in knowing their folate (vitamin B9) levels because a deficiency can increase the risk of spinal cord defects in their baby. Alternatively, if you’d like a more comprehensive look at your health and micronutrient status, you may need to have lab work ordered through your healthcare provider. For instance, none of these home testing kits check your iron level, but pregnant and premenopausal women may struggle to get enough iron in their diet. Comparing At-Home Micronutrient Testing When deciding which micronutrient test is the best fit for you, here are some things to consider: Cost: Most of these kits cost $100 or more, but it’s less expensive to test for a single biomarker than for multiple. If you go through your healthcare provider, you may be able to get lab tests through an in-person lab for a lower out-of-pocket cost depending on your insurance.Turnaround time: If you are anxious for your results, go with one of the quicker testing services like LetsGetChecked. However, if you don’t mind waiting a bit longer, then you have a few more options.Sampling method: All of these tests employ a finger-prick blood test except.Accuracy: While none of these services made any claims about the accuracy, they all have certifications from or compliance with bodies regulating quality control in laboratory testing or supplement development, like CLIA, COLA, CAP, and ICH.Nutrients tested: One of the biggest considerations is which nutrients you want to have checked. For instance, if you’re concerned with immune health, you’ll want a test that includes vitamin D; if you’re pregnant, you’ll want to check your folate status. Ordering Your At-Home Micronutrient Testing Kit Most at-home testing kits have to be ordered directly from the manufacturer as they are not usually available via third-party sellers like Amazon or Walmart. When you receive the kit, do a quick inventory to make sure all of the necessary materials are there, and then thoroughly read the instructions before you collect your sample. Some tests require a fasting period, while others need to be done on certain days of the week for shipping purposes. Some need to be done as soon as you wake up, and others may be done any time of day. Most of them need to be placed in the mail to be sent back to the lab on the same day the sample is taken. In most cases, you’ll also need to activate your test online before sending off your sample. This lets the testing company know to expect your sample and allows them to keep you updated on where your sample is in the process. When you receive your results, your report will probably include some additional information about how to interpret your results and further recommendations for supplements or lifestyle changes you can implement. If you have any concerns about your results, make an appointment to speak with your healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions How much does at-home micronutrient testing cost? At-home micronutrient tests range from about $65 to nearly $200. The price mostly depends on the number of micronutrients being tested. Single-nutrient tests tend to be less expensive, while more comprehensive panels will command a higher price. Is at-home micronutrient testing accurate? At-home blood tests can be accurate, but it depends on a number of factors—like if you were fasting when you tested, if you were taking supplements during your sample period that may have affected your results, how the blood was collected and managed throughout the shipping and testing process, and more.Certifications like CLIA, COLA, or CAP help to ensure that quality control procedures are in place to maximize test accuracy. However, if you have any concerns about the results of your home testing kit, you should speak to your healthcare provider. Can at-home micronutrient testing find vitamin deficiencies? While at-home micronutrient testing can show you if your blood levels of a certain nutrient are low, these services stop short at diagnosing nutrient deficiencies or other conditions. That is a conversation you’ll need to have with your healthcare provider. Who should use at-home micronutrient testing? Anyone can use a home micronutrient test, although it may be better for people who are concerned about the quality of their diet and if it’s providing enough vitamins—for instance, people following a vegan diet or a calorie-restricted diet for weight loss.Additionally, you may want to try a test if you’re experiencing unexplained mild symptoms like brain fog or fatigue. A nutrient test may help point you in the right direction. However, you should meet with your healthcare provider to discuss any concerns you may have. Methodology We evaluated nearly 20 different lab testing services to find the best at-home micronutrient testing providers. First, we filtered out the services that did not provide home testing kits. Next, we narrowed down the list to services that specifically offer micronutrient tests. Finally, we chose micronutrient testing kits that use a quality standard like CLIA certification or CAP accreditation and blood testing, to help ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible. Tests employing the use of saliva or hair didn’t make the cut, as these don’t provide a snapshot of your current nutrient status. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D: fact sheet for health professionals. Stewart Nutrition. Deficiency symptoms and signs. Zugravu CA, Macri A, Belc N, Bohiltea R. Efficacy of supplementation with methylcobalamin and cyancobalamin in maintaining the level of serum holotranscobalamin in a group of plant-based diet (vegan) adults. Exp Ther Med. 2021;22(3):993. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10425 Bonilla C, Ness AR, Wills AK, Lawlor DA, Lewis SJ, Davey Smith G. Skin pigmentation, sun exposure and vitamin D levels in children of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(1):597. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-597 National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Folate: fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron: fact sheet for health professionals. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies