Buy a vegetarian blood test: check your B12 and iron

A plant-based diet provides plenty of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants, but some nutrients are harder to get in sufficient amounts. Vitamin B12, iron and vitamin D in particular are values that vegetarians and vegans tend to check more often.

A deficiency usually develops gradually and does not always cause obvious symptoms right away. This vegetarian blood test therefore works as a nutrient deficiency check: it gives you a snapshot of where you stand. That is not a diagnosis, but preventive insight you can discuss with your GP or a dietitian.

This test may suit people who:

• eat a vegetarian, vegan or predominantly plant-based diet
• have recently switched to a plant-based diet and want to record their values
• take supplements and want to check whether their levels sit within the expected range
• notice symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss or difficulty concentrating and wonder whether nutrition plays a role

Are you vegan? Then this blood test gives insight into the values that need the most attention on a fully plant-based diet.

This panel measures six values in your blood:

• Vitamin B12: found almost exclusively in animal products and involved in nerve function and red blood cell production. Read more about vitamin B12.
• Ferritin: reflects your iron stores. Plant-based (non-heme) iron is absorbed less readily than iron from meat. See ferritin.
• Vitamin D (25-OH): obtained mainly through sunlight and few foods; plays a role in your bones and immune system. See vitamin D.
• Zinc: involved in your immune system, wound healing and cell division; plant sources contain phytates that may reduce absorption.
• Magnesium: plays a role in your muscles, nerve signalling and energy metabolism.
• Complete blood count (CBC): measures your red and white blood cells and platelets, which with ferritin can indicate anaemia.

For many vegetarians, vitamin B12 is the main reason to test.

Low ferritin may suggest that your iron stores are declining, even if your hemoglobin is still within range. That is why ferritin is often more informative than hemoglobin alone. A B12 deficiency develops slowly and sometimes only causes symptoms once the value has dropped considerably.

Vitamin D is often low in the general population, especially with limited sun exposure. Zinc and magnesium can show whether your diet contains enough of these minerals. Together, the values give you a picture you can use to discuss your diet and any supplementation with a healthcare provider.

For this test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point. There are 700+ locations across the Netherlands, which you choose yourself after ordering, at a time that suits you.

You do not need a referral: this is blood testing without a referral that you arrange yourself online. Unlike a self-test at home, your blood is analysed in a certified laboratory, so the values can be measured reliably.

This blood test can be useful when:

• you follow a plant-based diet and want to check your nutrient levels
• you have been vegetarian or vegan for a while and have not measured these values recently
• you take supplements and want to see whether your values sit within the expected range
• you are considering a dietary change and want to record a baseline

For a vegan, this blood test can be a handy periodic check, because several values need more attention on a fully plant-based diet.

Each marker is shown with your value alongside the reference range. Values within range usually indicate adequate levels for that nutrient. A value below the range may suggest your intake needs attention, while a value above the range is less common but can occur with high-dose supplements.

What counts as a healthy value varies by lab, age and timing, so a number on its own says little. Your report includes an explanation for each marker, so you can interpret the result together with your GP or a dietitian.

Fasting is not strictly required, but it may make some values more consistent. If you choose to fast, 8 to 12 hours is used as a guide.

Do you take zinc supplements? Then leave them out for at least 24 hours before the test, as they can temporarily affect your zinc level.

Your results are usually available online within a few working days. You see your values with their reference ranges and a clear explanation for each marker.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.