Vitamin D Test
Take Control of Your Vitamin D Levels
Did you know? Around 1 in 6 adults in Ireland are vitamin D deficient.
During the winter months, that rises to 1 in 4, and from October to March the Irish sun isn't strong enough for your body to make vitamin D.
Check your vitamin D levels with a quick test in the pharmacy.
Don't be part of the statistics.
Book Your Vitamin D Test OnlineBook Your Test Now for only €49.00
Boost Your Health with Vitamin D Testing
Are you constantly tired, even after a full night's sleep?
Low vitamin D could be the hidden reason behind your fatigue, low mood or weakened immunity.
At Mark's Pharmacy, understanding your vitamin D levels is the first step towards feeling energised, resilient and in control of your health.
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Catch Deficiencies:
Help prevent bone weakness, muscle pain and long-term deficiency.
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Boost Your Immunity:
Help your body fight off colds, flu and infections more effectively.
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Improve Mood and Energy:
Help prevent tiredness, brain fog and seasonal low mood, so you feel more alert and positive.
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Reduce Long-Term Health Risks:
Low vitamin D is linked to osteoporosis and has been associated with other long-term conditions.
Symptoms Indicating a Need for Vitamin D Testing
Noticing any of these could be a sign it's worth checking your vitamin D levels. Common signs include:
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Low Mood
Feeling down, flat or lacking motivation, especially through the darker months.
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Bone Loss
A higher risk of fractures and osteoporosis, particularly in older adults and women after menopause.
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Bone and Back Pain
Aches in your bones and lower back that may signal weakening bones.
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Impaired Wound Healing
Cuts and injuries that take a long time to heal or keep getting infected.
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Frequent Infections
Picking up colds, flu and other infections more often than usual.
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Tiredness and Muscle Aches
Ongoing fatigue and weak or aching muscles.
How We Measure Your Vitamin D Levels
We measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D, in your blood, the most accurate marker of your body's vitamin D status.
Think of it as a snapshot of how much vitamin D your body has available for strong bones, a healthy immune system and healthy muscles.
Book Your Vitamin D Test OnlineWhat does a Vitamin D test measure?
It measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the form of vitamin D that circulates in your blood and the best indicator of your overall vitamin D status. Your body converts both vitamin D2 (from plants and fortified foods) and vitamin D3 (from sunlight and animal sources) into this single measurable form.
Do I need to fast before the test?
No fasting is needed. A small drop of blood is taken from your fingertip, applied to a test card and read by our analyser within minutes.
What do my Vitamin D results mean?
Deficient levels can increase the risk of bone weakness, tiredness and lower immunity, and supplements are usually recommended. Insufficient levels mean it's worth increasing vitamin D through diet or supplements and retesting. Sufficient levels mean you're in a healthy range, so keep up a balanced lifestyle and retest yearly if you're at risk.
Why is vitamin D a particular issue in Ireland?
Your skin makes vitamin D from sunlight, but between October and March the sun in Ireland isn't strong enough for this to happen. Combined with limited vitamin D in a typical diet, many people's levels drop over the winter months.
1Getting Ready
No special preparation is needed. Eat and drink as normal before your test.
2Collecting the Sample
A small drop of blood is taken from your fingertip. It's quick and minimally invasive.
3Running the Test
Your sample is placed on a test card and measured on our in-pharmacy analyser.
4Waiting for Results
Your results are ready in just 8 minutes, so you can sit back while the test runs.
5Understanding Your Results
We'll show you whether your vitamin D is deficient, insufficient or sufficient and explain what it means.
6Next Steps
We'll guide you on next steps such as supplements, diet or lifestyle changes to get your levels back on track, and suggest when to retest.
Understanding Your Vitamin D Test Results
Your result is given in two units, nanomoles per litre (nmol/L) and nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL). Here's what the numbers mean for your health.
| Vitamin D Level (nmol/L) | Vitamin D Level (ng/mL) | What It Means for Your Health |
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| Less than 50 | Less than 20 | Deficient:A significant lack of vitamin D, which can lead to bone weakness, tiredness and lower immunity. Supplements and dietary changes are needed. Retest after 3 months of supplementation. |
| 50 to 75 | 20 to 30 | Insufficient:Below the ideal level, which may cause mild tiredness and lower bone density over time. Consider a moderate supplement and more vitamin D-rich foods. Retest in 6 months. |
| More than 75 | More than 30 | Sufficient:A healthy vitamin D level that supports strong bones and a healthy immune system. Keep it up with a balanced diet and retest yearly. |
When to retest: if you're correcting a deficiency, a follow-up test shows whether your levels have improved and settled, so any supplement advice can be adjusted.
Please note: This is a screening test and does not replace a diagnosis from your GP. If your result falls outside the normal range, our pharmacist will talk you through it and advise you to see your GP where needed.
Sources: Scully et al., Vitamin D Status in Irish Adults, Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing and Trinity College Dublin (published in Nutrients, 2020).
