Direct to the public Vitamin D testing from our NHS laboratory

• A finger-prick blood spot sample - not the larger micro-samples seen with some services. Our LC-MS/MS machines give results for Total Vitamin D and also D3 and D2 levels. We are the UK’s original public service. Our NHS lab is involved in major national research projects looking at Vitamin D and Covid-19. • UPDATE: Saturday 8 May 2021: We are up to date with pack sending out. Turn round target - the lab is extremely busy but in-lab turn-round is around 10 working days and improving. • Remember you can take too much vitamin D We phone people every week to advise they have potentially toxic levels of vitamin D due to overusing supplements. Early side effects can include gastrointestinal changes and discomfort. See NHS advise on toxicity and maximum oral doses found here…. • Secret Shoppers: Check current turn-round and results people get - here.

Our service to the public

• We are the UK’s original vitamin D public testing laboratory, providing a service since 2011. We are also one of the largest vitamin D testing laboratories in the NHS. • Our test pack includes everything required to take a sample and send back to us for analysis. • Clear instructions enable you to take the finger-prick sample. A very small amount of blood is required compared to alternative approaches. • You return your sample and consent form in a pre-paid envelope. • Results are sent back by email as a PDF, or by post if you prefer. • Our service is used by the public and by researchers studying Vitamin D both in the UK and around the world.

How it works….

• UK orders include reply postage. Overseas orders - you add the postage . • Results are compared to NHS reference intervals used to interpret if you have enough vitamin D or need to take an oral supplement. • Our LC-MS/MS machines measure D3 and D2, to give a ‘Total vitamin D’. • Please purchase test kits using links above. We also supply professionals with bulk packs - 10s and 50s, at discounted rates. You can also order these if you are testing your extended family, workplace, nursing home, etc. Prices are inclusive of postage.

Contacting us

Email: vitd@cityassays.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 121 507 4278

Our Address: Clinical Biochemistry Department, Black Country Pathology Services, City Hospital Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK This service to the public is provided from the SWBH NHS Trust laboratories in Birmingham and West Bromwich, part of Black Country Pathology Service. Our work is overseen by the governance policies, procedures and quality system applying to BCPS. Please contact us if you would like further details in this area. Note: Birmingham Picture Library receives orders and forwards them at once to the laboratory and this will be the organisation appearing on your bank statement. Queries are handled by the laboratory directly from then on.

Current Service and Coronavirus • We are operating as normal with strong demand as people decide to check their vitamin D status. • We have a page with papers and scientific comment on the association between Covid-19 and Vitamin D - here….

Single Test Packs • For you and your immediate family and friends • Individual packs with everything you need to take a finger prick sample and return to the lab.

Pack of 10 • For professionals, larger family groups and small workplaces. • Comes as 10 individually packed tests • 17% online discount

Packs of 50 • For R&D, Universities, care homes, and larger workplaces • Comes as 50 individually packed tests • 24% online discount

Taking a Sample

• A short video demonstrating how to take a sample and return it to the laboratory.