This is a guest post from one our bloggers Natalie; who blogs at www.thespooniemummy.com. She writes about life and parenting with chronic illnesses. These include Rheumatoid Arthritis, iritis and Crohn’s Disease, for which she has an ileostomy. She has previously tested and reviewed Better You’s Daily Iron Oral Spray which you can read about here
Today she is sharing a Better You Vitamin D Testing Kit review. This post contains affiliate/referral links for Better You and an exclusive discount for my readers.
As I have Crohn’s Disease and an ileostomy, I am often at risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies due to malabsorption in my remaining intestine. I am also currently on steroid medication, which can affect your bones. This makes it important to keep your levels of calcium up, and also Vitamin D which helps your body regulate levels of calcium in your body.
Vitamin D is absorbed by the body through the skin, from direct sunlight. It is also contained in a small number of foods.
oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel
red meat, liver, egg yolks, fortified foods – such as most fat spreads and some breakfast cereals” It is common for those with Crohn’s to have low vitamin D (more on that here)
Better You Vitamin D Testing Kit Review: About The Kit
The Better You test is done in collaboration with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS trust. Included in the kit is an information booklet, two finger prick needle devices, a blood spot collection device, antibacterial wipes and a plaster. There is also an addressed, free post envelope to send your
sample back in and a consent form.
Better You’s Vitamin D Testing Kit Review:Taking the Test
Using the test is really simple and doesn’t hurt! They suggest using a finger on your none writing hand and you should make sure it is warm and clean with the alcohol wipe. You then pop four spots of blood above the arrows. I have filmed a video for my YouTube channel of me taking the test to show just how simple and quick it is. Pop over and check it out if you would like to see it. Then you just fill out the consent form with your name and address details and the information on the
blood spot collection device (I assume in case the two accidentally get separated, they can then match
them back up again), pop it in the envelope provided and wait!
My Results
They tell you that you should have your results back in 10 working days, I waited only 4, which included a weekend, so they were very quick. Happily, my results came back as being adequate. I am already on a calcium/vitamin D supplement due to me taking steroids so it was good to know this is working and at the right level!
It was great to see the results broken down so well and I thought this made them really easy to understand. The email also explains what you can do about your levels. Better You offers a range of different strength vitamin D daily oral sprays including a children’s one (the test can be used on anyone aged four and above).
They will advise you on which is the right one for you and you will receive a complimentary spray at the recommended strength to get you started.
The oral sprays are brilliant and a great way for our bodies to absorb the things we need. As I have Crohn’s Disease, my digestive system doesn’t always function as it should and fails to absorb everything I need. These sprays do not rely on your gut to absorb, they are simply sprayed inside your cheek and you are good to go!
The Verdict: Better You Vitamin D Testing Kit: Would I recommend it?
Most definitely! It is really quick and easy to do and if you are worried about your levels of vitamin D it is a must! People who are most susceptible to issues include those who do not go outside very much (perhaps because they are elderly, disabled or in a care home), pregnant and breastfeeding women, people who wear clothes which cover most of the skin when outside and people with dark skin (those from African, African-Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone).
Where to buy it and a Better You discount code
The test costs £32.95 which includes everything you need, including a Freepost envelope and a complimentary bottle of Vitamin D oral spray matching the recommendation given following your results. You can buy the spray directly from Better You’s site. My readers get a special 15% off all items by entering the code BALANCEDBELLY15 and using this referral link.