Nutrients Blood Test (UK) | B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin & Folate
Biomarkers
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Viatmin B12
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential nutrient the body cannot produce on its own and must obtain through diet or supplementation. It plays a fundamental role in the formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, neurological function, and the maintenance of healthy nerve tissue. It is found naturally in animal products including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, which is why deficiency is particularly common in those following a plant-based diet. Low B12 can have a wide-ranging impact on both physical and neurological health, making regular monitoring important for those at risk.
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Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D)
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is measured in blood as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the main circulating form and best indicator of overall vitamin D status. It reflects vitamin D obtained from sun exposure, diet, and supplements. Adequate levels are important for calcium regulation, bone health, muscle function, and immune system support. Low levels are associated with deficiency states that may affect bone strength and general health.
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Folate (Vitamin B9)
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin measured in blood as serum folate or red cell folate. It reflects dietary intake and stores of vitamin B9, which is essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell formation. Low folate levels can lead to anaemia and may contribute to fatigue and other symptoms related to reduced red blood cell production.
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Ferritin
Measures the amount of iron safely stored in your body's cells (liver, spleen, and muscles) for future use. Because ferritin stores deplete before circulating iron levels drop, this is the single most important marker for catching iron deficiency early.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What nutrients does this test measure?
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The panel measures ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate. These are four of the most commonly deficient nutrients in the UK and play a central role in energy production, red blood cell formation, immune function, mood, and the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
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Can nutrient deficiencies cause fatigue?
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Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons people feel persistently tired without an obvious cause. Low ferritin, B12, folate, and vitamin D all affect the body's ability to produce and transport oxygen efficiently, which has a direct impact on energy levels, concentration, and mental clarity.
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Can low nutrient levels affect my weight?
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Low vitamin D and B12 in particular can slow metabolic function, making it harder to manage weight effectively. While nutrient deficiencies are not the sole cause of weight gain, correcting them can support better energy balance and overall metabolic health.
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Can nutrient deficiencies cause hair loss or brittle nails?
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Yes. Low ferritin is one of the most common and overlooked causes of hair thinning, as iron stores are essential for healthy follicle function. Folate and B12 deficiencies can also disrupt the hair growth cycle, while low vitamin D has been linked to delayed follicle cycling. Brittle nails and dull skin are also commonly associated with nutrient imbalances.
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Can nutrient levels affect my mood?
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Yes. Vitamin D and B12 both play a role in the production of neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Low levels are associated with low mood, anxiety, brain fog, and poor concentration. Folate is also closely linked to mental health, and deficiency has been associated with depression in several studies.
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Who should take this test?
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This test is particularly useful for anyone experiencing persistent fatigue, hair thinning, low mood, brain fog, or unexplained weight changes. It is also recommended for vegans and vegetarians, who are at higher risk of B12 and folate deficiency, people with limited sun exposure, women of reproductive age, and those with gut absorption issues that may affect nutrient uptake.
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Who is most at risk of folate deficiency?
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Pregnant women, people with malabsorption conditions such as coeliac disease, those with a diet low in fresh fruit and vegetables, heavy drinkers, and people taking certain medications including anticonvulsants are all at higher risk of low folate.
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Turnaround Time
Turnaround Time
Test Preparation
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Nutrients
Fasting: While strict fasting is not required, you must avoid a high-fat meal for at least 6 hours before taking your blood sample. Fatty meals can cause lipemia, a condition where the blood looks cloudy or milky, which may affect the accuracy of your results.
Supplements: If you are taking prescribed vitamin supplements, please check with your prescriber before testing, as they may advise stopping them 24 to 72 hours before collecting your sample. Recent intake can temporarily elevate levels of some biomarkers, and may not accurately reflect your true nutrient levels status.
Hydration: Drink water as normal before testing, as good hydration can make blood collection easier.
Symptom Check
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Low Mood and Mental Wellbeing
Nutrient deficiencies can have a significant impact on mood and mental clarity. Vitamin D plays a direct role in the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter closely linked to mood regulation, and low levels are consistently associated with low mood, anxiety, and seasonal depression. B12 and folate are both essential for healthy neurological function, and deficiency in either can contribute to irritability, poor concentration, brain fog, and in more severe cases depressive symptoms. Low ferritin can also affect mood indirectly, as the fatigue and reduced oxygen delivery it causes can leave you feeling flat, unmotivated, and mentally sluggish. -
Fatigue and Low Energy
Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest is one of the most common signs of nutrient deficiency. Low ferritin reduces the body's ability to transport oxygen efficiently, leaving you feeling drained and breathless even with minimal exertion. Low B12 and folate impair red blood cell production, compounding this effect and contributing to weakness and poor stamina. Vitamin D deficiency is also strongly associated with fatigue, muscle weakness, and a general sense of heaviness that can be difficult to attribute to any single cause. If you are experiencing unexplained and persistent tiredness, nutrient levels are one of the first things worth investigating. -
Hair Loss and Nutrient Deficiency
Low ferritin, folate, and vitamin D are among the most common and overlooked nutritional causes of hair thinning and shedding. Ferritin reduces oxygen delivery to the follicles, folate disrupts cell division in growing hair tissue, and low vitamin D is linked to reduced follicle cycling and delayed regrowth. More than one deficiency can be present at the same time, making a full nutrient panel a more informative starting point than testing a single marker. -
Symptom Check
Thyroid levels can be influenced by genetics, age, and lifestyle, and often change without obvious symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
1) Hypothyroidism (Underactive): Persistent tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, or dry skin.
2) Hyperthyroidism (Overactive): Increased heart rate, anxiety, unexplained weight loss, or heat sensitivity.
Result Report
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Result Report (in-use)
The final report provides a comprehensive breakdown of your biomarkers, displaying your specific levels alongside standard UK reference ranges to show exactly where you fall on the spectrum. Beyond just the raw numbers, the report includes a brief commentary.
View your results in a clear, easy-to-understand format with charts and reference ranges. If you repeat the same biomarkers with us, your report includes historical comparisons to help track changes, trends, and progress over time.
Track the key nutrients that drive your energy, weight loss, and mood.
Nutrients are the essential building blocks your body relies on every single day. They fuel your cells, support organ function, and help regulate everything from your metabolism to your mental clarity. When your nutrient levels fall out of balance, it quickly reflects in your daily life through unexplained fatigue, poor concentration, hair shedding, stubborn weight struggles, and even brittle nails or dry skin.
Our Comprehensive Nutrients Blood Test Kit is designed to measure your active Folate, Ferritin (iron storage), Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 levels. By checking these four vital markers in one single at-home screen, you can accurately pinpoint hidden deficiencies and take immediate action to optimize your health.
Why These Core Nutrients Matter
Energy & Mental Clarity: Vitamin B12, iron, and folate are completely essential for helping your body produce red blood cells and deliver oxygen to your brain and muscles. Optimizing these levels directly impacts how energized, focused, and sharp you feel throughout the day.
Weight Management & Metabolism: Low levels of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 can actively slow down your metabolism, making it significantly harder to lose weight or maintain a healthy body composition.
Hair, Skin & Nail Health: Nutrient deficiencies are one of the most common biological causes of hair thinning, brittle nails, and dull skin. Ferritin and folate are particularly important for encouraging healthy cellular growth and renewal.
Immune Strength & Mood Balance: Vitamin D and B12 are proven to help regulate your mood, reduce brain fog, and keep your immune system in fighting shape, especially during the darker UK winter months.
How the At-Home Kit Works
Taking control of your nutritional health is fast and entirely confidential. Our at-home kit contains absolutely everything you need to collect a small blood sample and send it safely to our laboratory for analysis. Inside your kit, you will find sterile lancets, clear step-by-step instructions, a lab request form, labels, a collection tube with a protective pouch, swabs, alcohol wipes, and plasters.
There is no need to queue at a clinic or wait for a GP appointment. Once you have collected your sample, simply place it in the provided prepaid UN3373 envelope and drop it into your nearest Post Office priority postbox.
Every sample is analyzed in our in-house, CQC-regulated UK laboratory. Your results are strictly confidential and will be reported within 1 to 3 working days of the lab receiving your sample. You will receive a secure email containing your quantitative PDF lab report, detailing your exact clinical figures alongside clear remarks for any results that fall outside the normal, healthy range.
How it works
Order test online
Collect a few drops at home
Return sample to the lab
