Latest news with #vitamin deficiency
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Shop-bought health tests not always fit for purpose, researchers warn
Off-the-shelf health tests for issues such as high cholesterol, vitamin deficiency, fertility and prostate problems may not be fit for purpose, researchers have warned. A team from the University of Birmingham examined tests that people can buy in UK supermarkets, pharmacies and shops and which they then use at home. They found the tests risked giving people the wrong result, could delay diagnosis, and most of them recommended follow-up with a doctor anyway, regardless of the result. The researchers called for much tighter regulation of the sector, adding the NHS may face additional demand after people self-test. They said: 'In the absence of guidance from healthcare professionals, individuals might use tests inappropriately or without a clear understanding of the implications of the results. 'False positive test results can lead to unnecessary anxiety, increased healthcare usage, and additional costs, whereas false negative test results may delay appropriate treatment or engagement with… screening programmes. 'Test errors can stem from inherent limitations in the accuracy of the test, as well as user-related issues such as sampling errors, incorrect processing, and difficulties in interpreting the results.' However, the team said that in the future, home tests could have great potential for patient care. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which regulates medical products, said it would look at the findings. Professor Jon Deeks, from the University of Birmingham, said: 'A plethora of new health self-tests have emerged in recent years and are available to buy from many high street supermarkets and pharmacies in the UK. 'While these kits have been approved for sale, they are not subject to the same stringent regulations as pharmaceutical products. 'Our recent research raises concerns about the suitability, accuracy and usability of many of the self-testing products available that require users to sample, test and interpret results themselves. 'In some cases, it is unclear how accuracy claims are supported, and there is no requirement of manufacturers to share the evidence behind these claims.' Prof Deeks said the UK is looking at a 'new world' when it comes to self-testing, but there is more work to do to show claims made were robust. He said much of the literature contained with tests was 'not easy to understand', while some of the results could lead to a 'wrong diagnosis'. In one example, he said the self-tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a marker of prostate health, were fixed at a certain concentration level. However, 'if you're age 70 you need to have your PSA done at a very different level to when you're 20', he said. Self-testing is becoming increasingly popular, and the UK market for self-tests is expected to reach £660 million by 2030. Overall, 30 self-tests costing £1.89 to £39.99 were included in the study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The tests covered 19 different conditions, including vitamin deficiency, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, thyroid function, prostate health, HIV, menopause and bowel cancer. Researchers said only eight of the 30 tests provided information about who should or should not use the test, while four specified the presence of symptoms. External packaging on fewer than half of the tests (14) included any statement about their accuracy. Meanwhile, 90% of the tests recommended follow-up with a healthcare professional if test results were positive or abnormal, while 47% recommended this if test results was negative. Accuracy claims were made for 24 of the tests, including in pamphlets, and most (58%) claimed a performance of at least 98% accuracy, sensitivity or specificity. However, the researchers said evidence supporting accuracy claims were largely unavailable or did not provide sufficient information for people likely to purchase the tests. Prof Deeks said: 'Current regulations for the use of self-testing kits in a commercial setting are not adequately protecting consumers. 'Several of the self-test manufacturers refused to provide us with reports of their studies, which support their claims, stating that they were 'commercially confidential'. 'Legally, they do not need to share this information. However, for all matters of our health, it really is important that the evidence upon which health decisions are made is available and can be scrutinised.' Dr Clare Davenport, clinical associate professor at the University of Birmingham, said: 'The wide range of off-the-shelf tests now available to the public are not endorsed by the NHS and evidence for their benefit is lacking. 'This is in contrast to well-established self-tests, such as pregnancy tests. 'We are worried that consumers concerned about their health and tempted by the convenience of buying a test over the counter may be harmed if they use these tests in the wrong way.' Dr Davenport said the recommendation that people see a doctor anyway regardless of the result 'begs the question 'what's the point of doing the test in the first place?''. Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer rights and food policy, said: ' Consumers should be careful with self-tests – they can be expensive, tricky to interpret and don't always come with an expert consultation to help you understand your results. 'It's also likely you'll need to follow up with your GP, so we'd always recommend involving them from the start if you have any particular health concerns. 'Most tests you'll need will be available for free on the NHS and your GP will also be able to speak to you about how you're feeling and spot any symptoms that might not show up on a test.' While clinical trials and medicines must go through the MHRA, self-test devices are subject to checks by notified bodies. A spokesman for Suresign, which provides three of the self-tests studied, said: 'We find this blanket condemnation of a small range of home tests available to be unreasonable and unprofessional, since they admit they are content with many of those examined. 'This is not a clinical approach to a highly scientific subject. 'They also did not confirm that the clinical studies related to our tests were supplied to them, as confirmed to us by the BMJ. 'Our detailed responses to their questions were not fully reflected in their article. 'They have implicitly criticised the professionalism of notified bodies appointed by the MHRA, when we find them to be very exacting in their audits. 'We are content our tests give the public access to healthcare screening not easily available with the NHS at the present time.' Joseph Burt, MHRA head of diagnostics and general medical devices, said it would review the evidence and 'consider all allegations about device deficiencies'. He added: 'We have strengthened post-market surveillance powers to monitor and act on concerns. 'These require manufacturers to actively monitor their products and report significant incidents to us, including for CE-marked self-tests. 'We're overhauling the medical device regulations to further strengthen standards for safety, usability and clinical performance and we're exploring new transparency measures such as requiring published summaries of clinical evidence. 'In the meantime, we strongly encourage anyone using a self-test to check for a CE or UKCA mark, read the instructions carefully, and seek medical advice if they're unsure about their result.'
CNET
22-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Feeling Off? These 8 Body Cues Might Be Nutritional SOS Signals
Even if you eat a balanced diet and take a multivitamin, you could still be missing key nutrients. Vitamin deficiencies aren't always obvious, but your body has ways of signaling that something's off — and those signals can get louder the longer you ignore them. From fatigue and brittle nails to frequent headaches or tingling in your hands, your body might be trying to tell you it's low on something important. Recognizing these signs early is crucial. Once you know what to look for, you can take steps to adjust your diet, supplement smarter, and give your body what it really needs to thrive. What is a vitamin deficiency? Vitamin deficiencies are exactly as the name implies: Your body operates without enough of a particular nutrient. They are incredibly common; it's estimated that 2 billion people worldwide have a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies are divided into two categories -- primary and secondary deficiencies. A primary vitamin deficiency means that you need to take in more of the foods the vitamin contains. In this case, you can often tailor your diet to ensure you address these needs. Or take a supplement if you have dietary limitations that keep you from eating these foods, which is the case with food allergies. Secondary deficiencies occur when your body isn't absorbing nutrients as it should. This can happen because of an underlying condition such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis. Additionally, secondary deficiency results from our bodies absorbing fewer nutrients as we age. Then, the malabsorption can compound and cause other deficiencies, like in the case of calcium and vitamin D. Older adults whose bodies have stopped making vitamin D can develop a calcium deficiency because vitamin D is crucial for the absorption of calcium. Common signs you may have a vitamin deficiency Vitamin deficiencies are common. However, they don't always present with symptoms you may associate with a vitamin deficiency. Here are the common signs of vitamin deficiencies that you may be ignoring. Fatigue One of the most prevalent vitamin deficiency symptoms is fatigue or feeling weak and tired. Many things can cause this, which makes it difficult to separate symptoms that stem from something else, like sleep deprivation. Chronic fatigue that doesn't go away no matter how much you sleep or rest may indicate a vitamin deficiency. Fatigue signals a deficiency in:2. Muscle weakness and pain Another common sign of vitamin deficiency is muscle weakness or cramps. Again, this one is hard to pinpoint directly to nutrients, given that you could be sore or have achy joints for many reasons. The most well-known deficiency associated with muscle weakness is vitamin D. However, several B vitamins and magnesium can also contribute to weakness. Muscle weakness and achy joints can indicate a deficiency of: Addressing your diet to see where you're lacking is the first step you can take to address a vitamin deficiency. It's worth visiting your doctor if you can't find obvious gaps in your nutrition. 3. Severe hair loss Hair loss can happen for several reasons like genetics, medical conditions, hair treatment and hormonal imbalances. Missing out on key hair growth nutrients also may be the cause. If your hair is thinning or isn't as healthy as it used to be, it may be because you're not getting enough of these nutrients: It's important to note that unless your hair loss or damage is due to a vitamin deficiency, taking vitamins won't make your hair grow back thicker. Finding the source of your hair loss is the only way to know how to address it. Hair growth vitamins can help you keep your health healthy only if you have a deficiency, but they're not magic pills. You're always better off focusing on your diet that supports hair health. 4. Dry skin Even if you use moisturizers and everything you're supposed to, you can still be left with dry skin or dandruff. Your diet may be to blame for this. Having enough of the right vitamins and minerals is essential for healthy, hydrated skin and scalp. It's not just dry skin -- scaly patches, bumps and dandruff all indicate a possible vitamin deficiency. If you're experiencing dry skin, you may be deficient in these vitamins: svetikd/Getty Images 5. Slow-healing wounds and a weak immune system Several vitamins are essential to a functioning immune system: vitamins E, C and K. Vitamin K is the nutrient required to form clots. Without an adequate amount in your body, a normal cut can turn into a big problem. This also applies to internal bleeding, which is difficult to identify without medical intervention. Vitamin deficiencies don't only determine how long you bleed; they also affect how long it takes a wound to heal. Vitamin C functions with anti-inflammatory properties that help close wounds. A deficiency will slow tissue repair. Nutrient deficiencies in these vitamins can affect your immune system and ability to heal wounds: 6. Mood changes Vitamin deficiencies can also dictate how you feel. Most people are familiar with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that happens when there is less sunlight to give us vitamin D. However, mood changes and depression because of a vitamin D deficiency aren't limited to winter months. It's estimated that 42% of Americans are not getting enough vitamin D. Vitamin B6 deficiencies have also been found to contribute to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. While more research is needed, several studies suggest that taking vitamin B6 supplements can help reduce symptoms because it produces chemical messengers that inhibit brain impulses, which results in a calming effect. 7. Changes in vision In addition to naturally occurring changes in our vision that happen with age, a vitamin A deficiency can contribute to vision problems. Vitamin A plays a key role in vision by aiding the production of pigments for the retina. Without enough vitamin A, production stops, leading to night blindness or the compromised ability to see in low light and darkness. Night blindness can occur independently of vitamin A deficiencies, so you shouldn't start taking a supplement unless you know the source. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it accumulates in our body's fat stores. An excess is called vitamin A toxicity, marked by symptoms like headaches, joint pain and nausea. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that's essential for eye health. A deficiency can lead to vision loss over time. 8. Tingling in fingers or toes A lesser-known and more alarming sign that you may have a vitamin deficiency is tingling in the hands, legs and feet. The main culprit of this deficiency is vitamin B12, which plays a role in our nervous system by producing myelin. Myelin is the protective layer that wraps around the nerve. A lack of B12 means your body won't produce enough myelin, and your nerves are susceptible to damage. Then you feel prickling or pins and needles on your hands and feet. Nutrients that are related to tingling in the hands and feet: Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 Calcium Magnesium Copper Chromium If you're experiencing any tingling or numbness that persists, talk to your doctor immediately to find the cause and make a treatment plan. Too long; didn't read? Anyone can have a vitamin deficiency. They're often overlooked because of how common some of the symptoms are. However, symptoms shouldn't be ignored, especially those affecting your ability to move, lift and see. Making lifestyle and dietary changes is the best way to stop deficiencies. Though taking supplements is also common. Talk to your doctor if you've had persistent symptoms that aren't linked to anything else. They can run blood tests to definitively diagnose and create a treatment plan.
