Vitamin B3 (niacin) blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Niacin, or vitamin B3, covers nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Both are used to make NAD and NADP, coenzymes involved in hundreds of chemical reactions that release energy from food and repair cells. Meat, fish, wheat flour, eggs and peanuts are good sources, and the body can also make some niacin from tryptophan, an amino acid found in protein.

Because of this, deficiency is rare in the UK. When it does occur, it is usually linked to very poor diets, long-term alcohol misuse, some digestive conditions, or medicines such as isoniazid, which is used for tuberculosis. Severe deficiency, called pellagra, classically affects the skin, the gut and the nervous system. The laboratory assesses niacin status from your blood sample. The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have a skin rash on sun-exposed areas alongside digestive upset and want to look at nutritional causes.
• You drink alcohol heavily and want to check your vitamin status.
• Your diet is very limited in protein, for example because of illness, low appetite or food restriction.
• You take a medicine known to affect niacin, such as isoniazid, and your clinician has suggested a check.
• You take high-dose niacin supplements and want to know where your level sits.

Understanding your result

Your report shows the result with the laboratory reference range. A low result, considered with your diet and symptoms, may support niacin deficiency, and your practitioner may suggest checking other B vitamins as shortages often occur together. A level inside the range makes significant deficiency less likely.

Raised levels usually reflect supplements. High doses of nicotinic acid can cause flushing and, over time, may affect the liver, so it is worth discussing if you take them. Any result outside the range is a prompt for conversation with your practitioner, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

A fasting sample may be preferred, and we will confirm the preparation when you book. Let us know about any niacin, nicotinamide, B complex or multivitamin supplements, and any prescribed medicines, so the result can be read correctly.

Where alcohol or supplements are a factor, the Liver Function Check can add useful context, and the Nutritional and Digestive Health check covers wider nutrition. Find every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a vitamin B3 blood test in Chiswick?

A vitamin B3 (niacin) test costs £169 at Omnia. The price includes the sample at our W4 clinic, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

What is pellagra?

Pellagra is the name for severe niacin deficiency. It is known for causing a rash on skin exposed to sunlight, diarrhoea and changes in mood or memory. It is rare in the UK and is usually linked to alcohol misuse or very poor nutrition.

Can I get enough niacin without meat?

Yes. Wheat flour, fortified cereals, peanuts, pulses and dairy all contribute, and the body makes some niacin from protein in your diet.

Are niacin supplements safe?

Low doses in multivitamins are generally fine. High-dose nicotinic acid can cause flushing and other side effects, so it is best taken only with advice from a clinician.