Where can I get vitamin D, B12 and iron tests in Vasco?
Medically reviewed by our consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (MBBS, MS OBG). Last reviewed: 2 November 2026.
The vitamin D test (25-hydroxy vitamin D) and the ferritin test are done in-house at the Pai Hospital Laboratory, on the ground floor inside Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. The laboratory is open 24 hours, every day. Vitamin B12 and iron studies are also available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer.
Which of these tests are done in-house?
- Vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D). Done in-house, inside Pai Hospital.
- Ferritin. Done in-house, and it can be run as an urgent test at any hour.
- Complete blood count (CBC). Done in-house. The doctor usually reads it alongside these tests.
- Vitamin B12 and iron studies. Available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer.
Almost all tests are possible either in house or outsourced. If your doctor has asked for a test that is not listed here, call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check it before you come. For the full list of in-house tests, see the Pai Hospital Laboratory in Vasco.
What does the vitamin D test measure?
The vitamin D blood test measures 25-hydroxy vitamin D. This is the form of vitamin D that circulates in the blood, and it gives the doctor an idea of the body's vitamin D store, whether it comes from sunlight, food or supplements.
Vitamin D helps the body take up calcium from food, and it matters for bones and muscles. The test is done in-house on an automated analyser. It does not usually need fasting.
Who usually needs a vitamin D test?
The doctor decides who needs the test. In general terms, it is often asked for when a person has:
- Bone pain, muscle aches or weakness without a clear cause.
- Little time in the sun, for example working indoors all day or covering most of the skin.
- A condition or medicine that affects how the gut takes up vitamins, or long-term kidney or liver disease.
- Thin bones, or a check of bone health after menopause. See menopause care in Vasco.
- Pregnancy, or plans for pregnancy, when the doctor feels a check is useful.
A vitamin D test is not needed for everyone. If you feel well and have none of these reasons, ask your doctor whether the test is useful for you.
What does ferritin tell the doctor?
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. The ferritin level in the blood shows how much iron the body has in store. A low ferritin usually means the iron stores are low, and it can fall before the haemoglobin drops.
Ferritin also rises with inflammation and infection. So a normal or high ferritin does not always mean the iron stores are full. This is why the doctor reads ferritin together with the complete blood count, and sometimes with CRP, an inflammation marker that is also done in-house.
What are iron studies?
Iron studies are a group of blood tests that look at iron in more detail. They usually include serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation, and are often read together with ferritin. They help the doctor tell iron shortage apart from other causes of anaemia. Iron studies are available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer.
What does the vitamin B12 test show?
Vitamin B12 is needed to make healthy red blood cells and to keep the nerves working. A low B12 can cause a type of anaemia in which the red cells are larger than usual. It can also cause tiredness, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and a sore tongue.
B12 comes mainly from foods of animal origin, such as milk, curd, eggs, fish and meat. The doctor may ask for the test in people who eat a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet, in older adults, after stomach surgery, and in people who take some medicines for a long time, such as certain medicines for diabetes or for acidity. The vitamin B12 test is available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer.
Who usually needs iron tests?
Low iron is a common reason for anaemia. In general terms, the doctor may ask for ferritin or iron studies when there is:
- A low haemoglobin on the complete blood count.
- Tiredness, getting out of breath easily, a racing heartbeat or pale skin.
- Heavy or long periods. See heavy periods treatment in Goa.
- Pregnancy, when the body's need for iron rises. See the first antenatal visit.
- Blood loss from the stomach or bowel, or a diet low in iron.
Why does the doctor often ask for these tests together?
Tiredness and anaemia can have more than one cause. The complete blood count shows whether there is anaemia and what the red cells look like. Ferritin and iron studies show whether iron is short. Vitamin B12 shows whether B12 is short. Vitamin D is a separate question, mostly about bones and muscles. Read together, they help the doctor find the cause and plan the next step.
Do I need to prepare for these tests?
- Vitamin D, vitamin B12 and ferritin. Usually no fasting is needed.
- Iron studies. Blood iron changes through the day and after meals, so the doctor may ask for a morning sample before breakfast.
- Supplements and tablets. Tell the laboratory and the doctor about any iron tablets, vitamin D, B12 or multivitamin supplements you take, and when you last took them. The doctor will tell you whether to delay a dose before the test. Do not stop a medicine on your own.
For fasting, biotin supplements and what to bring, read blood test preparation and reports.
My result is low. Should I start supplements on my own?
Please do not. Do not start, change or stop vitamin D, B12 or iron supplements based on the report alone. Too much vitamin D or iron can also be harmful, and a low level sometimes has a cause that needs its own care. Your treating doctor reads the report with your symptoms, your examination and your other results, and decides whether you need treatment, which form and for how long.
The ranges are printed on your report, beside your result. They can differ from one laboratory and one method to another, so let the doctor explain what your result means.
How soon are the reports ready?
Vitamin D and ferritin are done in-house, and most routine reports are usually ready within hours. Vitamin B12 and iron studies that are sent to a partner laboratory take longer; the laboratory will tell you when to expect them.
How does the laboratory check its results?
Routine tests run on automated analysers. Every day, before patient reports are released, the laboratory runs quality-control samples with known values to check that each analyser is reading correctly.
Where is the laboratory, and when is it open?
The Pai Hospital Laboratory is on the ground floor, inside Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. It is open 24 hours, every day. Call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check a test or ask about preparation before you come. Directions are on our contact page. See all our services in Goa. Written and reviewed by the Pai Hospital Team.
Where can I get a vitamin D test in Vasco?
At the Pai Hospital Laboratory, on the ground floor inside Pai Hospital, Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama. The vitamin D test (25-hydroxy vitamin D) is done in-house, and the laboratory is open 24 hours, every day. Call or WhatsApp the laboratory to check a test or ask about preparation before you come.
Is the ferritin test done in the hospital itself?
Yes. Ferritin is done in-house at the Pai Hospital Laboratory, and it can be run as an urgent test at any hour. Ferritin shows the body's iron stores, and it also rises with inflammation, so the doctor reads it together with your blood count.
Can I get a vitamin B12 test or iron studies at the laboratory?
Yes. Vitamin B12 and iron studies are available at the laboratory; some are sent to a partner laboratory and take longer. The laboratory will tell you when to expect the report.
Do I need to fast for a vitamin D, B12 or iron test?
Usually not for vitamin D, vitamin B12 or ferritin. For iron studies, the doctor may ask for a morning sample before breakfast, because blood iron changes through the day and after meals. Tell the laboratory and the doctor about any iron tablets or vitamin supplements you take.
My vitamin D or iron is low. Should I start supplements myself?
Please do not start, change or stop supplements based on the report alone. Too much vitamin D or iron can also be harmful. Your treating doctor reads the report with your symptoms and other results and decides whether you need treatment, and how much.
How soon will my report be ready?
Vitamin D and ferritin are done in-house, and most routine reports are usually ready within hours. Vitamin B12 and iron studies that are sent to a partner laboratory take longer; the laboratory will tell you when to expect them.
What are normal values for vitamin D, B12 and ferritin?
The ranges are printed on your report, beside your result. They differ from one laboratory and one method to another, so let your treating doctor explain what your result means for you.
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This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.