Blood Tests: Vitamins
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding standard NHS blood tests to routinely include (a) B12, (b) B6, (c) folate, (d) vitamin C and (e) vitamin D.
Answered by Karin Smyth
The Department has made no assessment of the potential merits of expanding standard National Health Service blood tests to routinely include B12, B6, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin D. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which provides evidence-base guidance for the health and care system on best practice, makes recommendations on testing for vitamin deficiency based on symptoms and risk factors.
NICE guidance makes recommendations on tests where the evidence supports their use in making a diagnosis, ruling out a condition, or for guiding treatment decisions. This is usually condition or symptom specific, and the NICE would not make recommendations on a ‘standard’ blood test or range of blood tests. NICE guidance is not mandatory, and therefore healthcare professionals should use their clinical judgement in deciding what blood tests should be carried out for individual patients, taking into account relevant national or local guidance, including NICE guidelines.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →