Wondering if low energy, frequent infections, mood changes, or bone concerns could be linked to your vitamin D levels, especially during winter months or with limited sun exposure?
Boost your health from the inside out with our comprehensive Vitamin D Blood Test. Often called the 'sunshine vitamin', vitamin D is crucial for bone strength, immune function, mood regulation, and overall wellbeing - yet deficiency is surprisingly common, especially in Australia's climate extremes.
You will be emailed a referral to take to your local collection centre. If you ever have any questions, we're here to help.
Vitamin D is much more than just a vitamin - it's actually a powerful hormone that acts like your body's master conductor, orchestrating everything from bone strength to immune defense. While your skin naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, modern life often keeps us indoors, and even in sunny Australia, deficiency is surprisingly common due to sunscreen use, office jobs, and seasonal changes.
This essential hormone works behind the scenes in remarkable ways: it unlocks your body's ability to absorb calcium for strong bones, fine-tunes your immune system to fight infections while keeping it from attacking healthy tissues, supports muscle strength and function, and even influences your mood and brain health. When your vitamin D levels are too low, you might experience fatigue, frequent infections, bone pain, or mood changes - your body's way of signaling that this crucial conductor is missing from the orchestra. Testing your vitamin D levels gives you valuable insight into whether your body has enough of this master regulator to keep all your systems performing in harmony.
Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer
You may benefit from the Vitamin D (25-OH) Blood Test
Essential for everyone, particularly those with limited sun exposure, office workers, people with darker skin, elderly individuals, and those living in southern Australia. Important for people experiencing frequent infections, mood changes, bone pain, muscle weakness, or fatigue. Valuable for monitoring supplementation effectiveness and optimizing immune function.
Bone pain or deep aching
Muscle weakness in arms or legs
Muscle pain after exercise that lasts days
Fractures with minimal trauma
Feeling tired all the time
Feeling sad or down most of the time
Frequent infections (more than 4 colds per year)
Osteoporosis screening
Feeling weak or feeble
Feeling unsteady on feet
Feeling hopeless about the future
Joint pain that's worse in cold weather
Knee pain when walking or climbing stairs
Hip pain or stiffness
Chronic lower back pain
Shoulder pain or limited range of motion
Difficulty climbing stairs due to leg weakness
Tender points or trigger points
Difficulty lifting objects you used to lift easily
Depression or mood changes
Bone pain or frequent fractures
Supplement effectiveness monitoring
Increased fall risk
How to prepare
No fasting required. No special preparation needed. Can be taken at any time of day. If taking vitamin D supplements, maintain your usual routine unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider. Biotin supplements should be avoided for 3 days before testing.
Understanding results
Optimal levels: 75-150 nmol/L (30-60 ng/mL). Deficient: <50 nmol/L (<20 ng/mL); Insufficient: 50-74 nmol/L (20-29 ng/mL); Sufficient: ≥75 nmol/L (≥30 ng/mL). Toxicity rare but possible above 375 nmol/L (150 ng/mL). Many health experts recommend maintaining levels above 100 nmol/L (40 ng/mL) for optimal health benefits.
After the test
If levels are low, discuss appropriate supplementation with your healthcare provider. Typical recommendations include vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplements, safe sun exposure, and dietary sources. Dosing depends on current levels, body weight, and individual factors. Retest in 3-6 months to monitor response to supplementation. Severe deficiency may require prescription-strength doses initially.
Frequently Asked Questions
In summer, 5-15 minutes of midday sun exposure to arms and face several times per week is usually sufficient for fair-skinned individuals. Darker skin requires longer exposure. Winter sun in southern Australia is often insufficient.
It's difficult to get adequate vitamin D from food alone. Fatty fish, eggs, and fortified foods help, but supplements are often necessary, especially in winter or with limited sun exposure.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is more effective at raising and maintaining blood levels than vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Most supplements and recommendations focus on D3.
With appropriate supplementation, levels typically improve within 6-12 weeks, though it may take 3-6 months to reach optimal levels depending on starting point and dose.
Yes, excessive supplementation can lead to toxicity, causing nausea, kidney problems, and calcium buildup. However, toxicity is rare and usually requires very high doses over extended periods.
For most people, annual testing is sufficient. More frequent testing may be needed when starting supplementation, during treatment for deficiency, or if you have conditions affecting absorption.
You will be emailed a referral to take to your local collection centre. If you ever have any questions, we're here to help.
Private health tests
How does it work?
Bloody Good helps you measure your baseline health, identify urgent issues, and track changes over time
1
Book your test
Choose the testing that suits your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.
2
Collect your samples
Have your sample collected at one of our 4000+ partner collection centres.
3
View your results
View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.
We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out
Bloody Good is a single portal for ordering, tracking, and reviewing on-demand health testing.
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Spot subtle changes before they become big problems. Our comprehensive health check scans for potential risks across every major body system, giving you the chance to take action early when interventions are most effective.
We have over 200 private on-demand health tests available. From testosterone to vitamin D, you can order the tests you need and take control of your health.
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Having seen the GP regularly, I thought I had everything covered. I had no idea I had Type II diabetes as I was symptomless. Now I can manage it before it gets really bad. I never would have caught it this early if I hadn't used Bloody Good.
- One Life Club Member, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our products and services.
Most collection centres accept walk-ins. Some may require a booking - check details when you click on your chosen location.
If your test needs fasting, we’ll include that in your instructions after you order. Fasting usually means no food for 8–12 hours, but water is fine.
Just your pathology referral form (we email it to you)
Of course. Just maybe don’t bring the friend who faints at the sight of blood.
They’re the highly trained professionals who take your blood sample - with a steady hand and a sharp needle. They love blood, but don’t worry… they’re not vampires. Just legends who make blood tests quick, clean, and (almost) painless.
Some of our tests include Urine, Stool, Saliva and more. Each test will have a clear description on what sample you will need to give and instructions on how.
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We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out. Our on-demand health testing lets you take control of your health
