Vitamin D: Signs of Low Levels, NHS Testing and Treatment Explained

The 30-second version

• Very low vitamin D can cause bone pain, muscle weakness and bones that break easily.
• The NHS does not routinely test people without symptoms; it simply advises a daily supplement.
• A multivitamin may not contain the full 10 micrograms the NHS recommends – check the label.
• High-dose treatment is for confirmed deficiency only, and must be prescribed.

On this page

• Signs your vitamin D may be low
• Getting tested on the NHS
• Multivitamin, everyday or treatment dose?
• After treatment
• Support at appointments

Most of us in the UK should consider a daily vitamin D supplement over winter (NHS advice; see also our guide, The Sunshine Vitamin). But what if you think your levels are already low? Here is what to look out for, and what the NHS can do.

Signs your vitamin D may be low

Very low vitamin D over time can cause rickets in children and osteomalacia (soft bones) in adults. Signs include (sources: NHS, NICE adults, NICE children):

Area	Adults	Children
Bones	Pain in the back, shoulders, ribs, pelvis or legs	Bowed legs, swollen or painful wrists, bone pain
Muscles	Muscle weakness that makes moving about harder; tingling, cramps or twitching	Weak muscles; tingling, cramps or twitching
Movement	Changes in the way you walk	Changes in the way they walk
Breaks	Bones break more easily	Bones break more easily
Growth and teeth	–	Smaller than average; teeth come through late

These symptoms can have other causes, so speak to a GP rather than guessing.

How do I get a vitamin D test on the NHS?

The NHS does not routinely test people without symptoms, even those at higher risk of low vitamin D. If that is you, the advice is simply to take the daily supplement.

Under NICE guidance, your GP may offer a blood test if you have:

• symptoms like those above that will not go away
• osteoporosis, or a broken bone from a minor fall
• plans to start certain bone-strengthening medicines

Book a GP appointment and describe your symptoms clearly: what you feel, where, and for how long. If a test is needed, it is a simple blood sample.

Key insight: Testing is for people with symptoms or bone problems. For everyone else, the NHS advice is the same: a daily 10 microgram supplement.

Multivitamin, everyday vitamin D or treatment dose?

An everyday vitamin D supplement contains the 10 micrograms the NHS recommends. A multivitamin contains a little of many vitamins, and its vitamin D may be less than 10 micrograms, so check the label. If you take both, add them together and stay under the NHS daily upper limit of 100 micrograms for adults.

A therapeutic (treatment) dose is different. If a blood test shows very low vitamin D, your GP may prescribe a short, high-dose course to bring your levels back up, following NICE guidance and local NHS prescribing guidance (for example, Sussex). Treatment doses for children are different and are set out in NICE guidance for children. These doses are far above the everyday limit, so only take them if prescribed.

Feature	Everyday vitamin D	Multivitamin	Therapeutic vitamin D
What it is for	Keeping your levels topped up	A small top-up of lots of vitamins and minerals	Treating a deficiency confirmed by a blood test
Dose	10 micrograms (400 IU) a day	Varies – check the label	Much higher, for example around 300,000 units in total over 6 to 12 weeks
Source	NHS	Product label	NICE (adults); NHS Sussex prescribing guidance
Who decides	You, following NHS advice	You	Your GP or specialist
How long	October to early March, or all year	Ongoing	A short course

What happens after treatment?

After a treatment course, your GP may check the calcium level in your blood. You will then usually be advised to carry on with a lower daily dose to stop your levels dropping again. You may be asked to buy this yourself from a pharmacy or supermarket, where vitamin D is low-cost.

Do not stop or change a prescribed course without talking to your GP or pharmacist.

Support at appointments

• If English is not your first language, you have a right to interpreting support at NHS appointments. Ask for an interpreter when you book.
• Public Health Scotland's leaflet Vitamin D and you is available in Easy Read and audio versions.

The bottom line

If you have ongoing bone pain or muscle weakness, see your GP. Do not self-treat with high doses. For most people, a simple 10 microgram daily supplement (NHS advice) is all that is needed.

Read next

• The Sunshine Vitamin: why most of us in the UK should think about vitamin D this winter
• Why vitamin K2 (MK-7) should be considered alongside calcium and vitamin D in bone health
• Arthritis UK: osteoporosis – symptoms, causes and treatment

This post is general information, not personal medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about your own health.

References

Arthritis UK (no date) Osteoporosis: symptoms, causes and treatment. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/osteoporosis/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (no date) Serum vitamin D test requesting. Available at: https://mft.nhs.uk/the-trust/other-departments/laboratory-medicine/information-for-gps/laboratory-medicines-newsletter-for-gps/serum-vitamin-d-test-requesting/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (no date) Rickets and osteomalacia. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rickets-and-osteomalacia/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (no date) Vitamin D. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS England (no date) Improvement framework: community language translation and interpreting services. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/improvement-framework-community-language-translation-and-interpreting-services/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Vitamin D deficiency in children. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-children/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2026) Vitamin D deficiency in adults. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Public Health Scotland (2026) Vitamin D and you. Available at: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/vitamin-d-and-you (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Sussex Health and Care Partnership (2024) Vitamin D management in adults. Available at: https://clinical.surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/clinical_documents/vitamin-d-management-in-adults/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

© Zero Jargon Health – health information without the jargon.

The Sunshine Vitamin: Why Most of Us in the UK Should Think About Vitamin D This Winter

The 30-second version

• Take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D a day from October to early March (NHS advice).
• Take it all year if you have darker skin, rarely go outside, cover most of your skin, are 65 or over, or are a child aged 1 to 4.
• Adults should never take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day unless a doctor tells them to (NHS advice).
• Some families can get it free.

On this page

• Why the UK is short of sunshine
• Who should take it
• How much is safe
• Choosing a supplement
• Free vitamin D
• Other formats and languages

The evenings are drawing in, and for the next few months UK sunshine will not give our bodies the vitamin D they need.

What does vitamin D actually do?

Vitamin D helps your body take in calcium and phosphate from food, the building materials for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Without enough, children can develop rickets and adults can develop osteomalacia (soft, painful bones).

Why the UK is short of sunshine

Our skin makes vitamin D in sunlight. From late March or early April to the end of September, most people make enough just by being outside. But from October to early March, the UK sun is too low in the sky for our skin to make much at all.

Key insight: Even a sunny January day will not top up your vitamin D.

The government's National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2019 to 2023) shows how many people are deficient in vitamin D:

Age group	Deficient (whole year)	Deficient (January to March)
Adults aged 19 to 64	18% (nearly 1 in 5)	31% (nearly 1 in 3)
Young people aged 11 to 18	–	36% (more than 1 in 3)

Yet only around 17% of adults aged 19 to 64 reported taking a vitamin D supplement.

Who should take it, and when?

The NHS says everyone, including anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, should consider taking 10 micrograms a day from October to early March. NICE and the NHS advise some people to take it all year round.

Who	When	Source
Most adults and children over 4	October to early March	NHS; NICE
People with darker skin, such as those of African, African-Caribbean or South Asian heritage	All year	NHS; NICE
People who rarely get outdoors, for example because they are housebound, live in a care home, or have a disability or health condition	All year	NHS; NICE
People who usually cover most of their skin outdoors, including for religious or cultural reasons	All year	NHS; NICE
People aged 65 and over	All year	NICE
People living with obesity	All year	NICE
Children aged 1 to 4, and babies (unless having 500ml or more of infant formula a day)	All year	NHS; NICE

How much is enough, and how much is too much?

On labels, 10 micrograms is often written as 400 IU. More is not better: taking too much for a long time can make calcium build up in your body and harm your bones, kidneys and heart.

Age	Recommended amount (per day)	Do not take more than (per day)	Source
Adults and young people aged 11 to 17	10 micrograms (400 IU)	100 micrograms (4,000 IU)	NHS
Children aged 1 to 10	10 micrograms (400 IU)	50 micrograms (2,000 IU)	NHS
Babies under 12 months	8.5 to 10 micrograms (unless having 500ml or more of infant formula a day)	25 micrograms (1,000 IU)	NHS

If you have a medical condition or take regular medicines, check with a pharmacist or GP first.

Can I get it from food?

Oily fish, egg yolks, red meat, liver and some fortified cereals and spreads contain vitamin D, but food alone rarely provides enough.

Choosing a supplement that suits you

Vitamin D2 is not made from animals. Many D3 supplements come from lanolin (sheep's wool grease), but vegan D3 from lichen is available.

• Vegan or vegetarian? Look for D2, or D3 labelled vegan.
• Halal or kosher? Check the label, including the capsule, or ask a pharmacist.
• On prescription? NHS guidance allows vitamin D2 to be used instead where D3 is not suitable for cultural, dietary or religious reasons. Tell your GP.

What vitamin D can and cannot do

The UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition found not enough evidence that vitamin D prevents or treats chest and throat infections, such as colds and flu. Its proven benefit is for bones and muscles.

Free vitamin D: are you eligible?

• England, Wales and Northern Ireland: people who qualify for the Healthy Start scheme can get free vitamins while pregnant or breastfeeding, and for children up to age 4.
• Scotland: all pregnant women get free vitamins, and breastfeeding mothers and children under 3 get free vitamin D from midwives or health visitors.

Other formats and languages

• Public Health Scotland's leaflet Vitamin D and you comes in Easy Read and audio versions, and you can ask for other formats.
• If English is not your first language, you have a right to interpreting support at NHS appointments. Ask for an interpreter when you book.

The bottom line

A daily 10 microgram supplement from October to early March, or all year if you are at higher risk (NHS advice), is one of the simplest things you can do for your health.

Read next

• Vitamin D: signs of low levels, NHS testing and treatment explained
• Why vitamin K2 (MK-7) should be considered alongside calcium and vitamin D in bone health
• Arthritis UK: osteoporosis – symptoms, causes and treatment

This post is general information, not personal medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about your own health.

References

Arthritis UK (no date) Osteoporosis: symptoms, causes and treatment. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/understanding-arthritis/conditions/osteoporosis/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Healthy Start (no date) Getting vitamins. Available at: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/getting-vitamins/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge (2025) National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023 highlights dietary deficiencies and inequalities. Available at: https://www.epi.ims.cam.ac.uk/blog/2025/06/12/ndns-2019-2023-dietary-deficiencies/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (no date) Rickets and osteomalacia. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rickets-and-osteomalacia/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (no date) Vitamin D. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS England (no date) Improvement framework: community language translation and interpreting services. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/improvement-framework-community-language-translation-and-interpreting-services/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS Highland (2025) Vitamin D deficiency (guidelines). Available at: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/tam-treatments-and-medicines-nhs-highland/adult-therapeutic-guidelines/fluid-and-electrolytes/vitamin-d-deficiency-guidelines/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS inform (no date) Vitamin D. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/eating-well/vitamin-d/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Vitamin D deficiency in children. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-children/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2026) Vitamin D deficiency in adults. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-adults/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2025) National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Public Health Scotland (2026) Vitamin D and you. Available at: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/vitamin-d-and-you (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2016) Vitamin D and health. London: Public Health England. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a804e36ed915d74e622dafa/SACN_Vitamin_D_and_Health_report.pdf (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2020) SACN rapid review: vitamin D and acute respiratory tract infections. London: Public Health England. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-rapid-review-vitamin-d-and-acute-respiratory-tract-infections (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2024) Fortifying foods and drinks with vitamin D: summary. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fortifying-food-and-drink-with-vitamin-d-a-sacn-rapid-review/fortifying-foods-and-drinks-with-vitamin-d-summary (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Scottish Government (no date) Free vitamins for all pregnant women. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/policies/maternal-and-child-health/free-vitamins-for-all-pregnant-women/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

The Vegan Society (no date) Vitamin D. Available at: https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-d-0 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

© Zero Jargon Health – health information without the jargon.

Daridorexant (Quviviq): The Sleeping Tablet That Turns Down Your Brain's "Stay Awake" Switch

If you've spent months lying awake at 3am, you'll know insomnia affects your mood, work and relationships. GPs have long been wary of sleeping pills because of side effects and the risk of dependence. Daridorexant is a newer medicine that works differently. Here's what it is, who can get it, and what the evidence shows.

What is daridorexant?

Daridorexant, brand name Quviviq, is a prescription tablet for adults with long-term insomnia, meaning sleep problems lasting 3 months or more.

The black triangle (▼) next to its name means it's a newer medicine being closely monitored. Anyone can report side effects through the Yellow Card scheme.

How does it work?

Your brain makes a chemical called orexin. Think of it as a "stay awake" messenger. It presses on tiny switches in your brain (called receptors) that keep you alert.

Daridorexant sits on those switches so orexin can't press them. The "stay awake" message gets quieter and natural sleep can take over. Many older sleeping pills work more like a general sedative.

How daridorexant turns down the brain's wake signal (simplified).

Where is it approved?

Medicines regulators check that a medicine's benefits outweigh its risks before it can be sold. Approval doesn't automatically mean it's free on a public health service.

Country or region	Approved by	When
United States	Food and Drug Administration (FDA)	January 2022
European Union	European Commission, advised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)	April 2022
Great Britain	Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)	August 2022
Switzerland	Swissmedic	December 2022
Canada	Health Canada	April 2023
Japan	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)	September 2024
China	National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)	June 2025

Can I get it on the NHS?

Yes, in some cases. In 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises the NHS in England and Wales, recommended daridorexant for adults who:

• have trouble sleeping on 3 or more nights a week
• have had symptoms for at least 3 months
• find it seriously affects how they cope during the day
• have tried cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) without success, or can't access it, or it isn't suitable for them

In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium accepted it with similar restrictions in April 2024.

Key insight

Talking therapy (CBTi) is still the first treatment for long-term insomnia. It teaches practical ways to reset sleep habits. NICE has also recommended a digital CBTi programme called Sleepio, so ask your GP what's available locally.

Access to CBTi varies, and app-based courses don't suit everyone, including some disabled people and those without reliable internet. If CBTi isn't available or suitable for you, you can still be considered for daridorexant.

How do I take it?

Topic	What the leaflet says
Usual dose	One 50mg tablet a night. People with some liver problems, or who take certain other medicines, may be prescribed 25mg.
When	In the half hour before going to bed, once a night.
Food	Taking it soon after a large meal may make it slower to help you fall asleep.
Grapefruit	Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice in the evening. They may raise the amount of medicine in your blood.
Alcohol	Avoid it. Together they can affect your balance and coordination.
Driving	Leave about 9 hours between taking it and driving or using machines.

How well does it work?

The main evidence comes from two large studies of more than 1,800 adults, around 4 in 10 of them aged 65 or over. In the study that tested the usual 50mg dose, here's how people compared with those taking a dummy tablet (placebo) after 3 months:

What was measured	Difference compared with placebo
Time awake during the night	About 18 minutes less
Time taken to fall asleep	About 12 minutes quicker
Total sleep (as reported by participants)	About 20 minutes more
Feeling sleepy during the day	Improved

Key insight

These are real but modest gains: roughly 20 minutes of extra sleep a night on average. It isn't a cure, and some people will benefit more than others. That's why NICE says your doctor should check within 3 months whether it's helping, and stop it if it isn't.

Side effects

How often	Side effects
Common (up to 1 in 10 people)	Headache, excessive sleepiness, dizziness, tiredness, feeling sick
Uncommon (up to 1 in 100 people)	Sleep paralysis (being temporarily unable to move or talk), seeing or hearing vivid or disturbing things that aren't real, abnormal dreams or nightmares, sleepwalking, allergic reactions such as a rash

In the studies, there was no evidence of withdrawal symptoms or physical dependence when people stopped taking it, and the leaflet says it can be stopped without gradually reducing the dose. Always talk to your prescriber first.

Who shouldn't take it?

• People with narcolepsy (a condition where you suddenly fall asleep during the day).
• People taking certain strong medicines, including some antibiotics, antifungals and HIV treatments. Your pharmacist can check.
• Extra care is needed if you're over 75 or have liver problems. If you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor first.

Questions to ask your GP

• Is CBTi or Sleepio available to me?
• Could pain, low mood or another medicine be affecting my sleep?
• Is it safe with my other medicines, and when will we review it?

Where to find out more

Organisation	What you'll find
NHS	Insomnia: causes, self-help tips and when to see a GP
NICE	Who can get daridorexant on the NHS in England and Wales
Scottish Medicines Consortium	Plain-English summary of the decision in Scotland
electronic medicines compendium (emc)	The official patient leaflet for Quviviq
European Medicines Agency	Medicine overview written for the public
MHRA Yellow Card	Report a suspected side effect
The Sleep Charity	National Sleep Helpline (03303 530 541) and practical sleep advice
Mind	How sleep and mental health affect each other

References

All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (2022) daridorexant (Quviviq®). Available at: https://awttc.nhs.wales/accessing-medicines/medicine-recommendations/daridorexant-quviviq/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

European Medicines Agency (2022) Quviviq: EPAR. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/quviviq (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals (2022a) Idorsia receives US FDA approval of QUVIVIQ (daridorexant) 25 and 50 mg for the treatment of adults with insomnia. GlobeNewswire, 10 January. Available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/01/10/2363527/0/en/Idorsia-receives-US-FDA-approval-of-QUVIVIQ-daridorexant-25-and-50-mg-for-the-treatment-of-adults-with-insomnia.html (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals (2022b) Swissmedic approves QUVIVIQ (daridorexant). GlobeNewswire, 5 December. Available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/12/05/2567025/0/en/Swissmedic-approves-QUVIVIQ-daridorexant-a-first-in-class-treatment-for-chronic-insomnia-disorder-to-improve-both-nighttime-symptoms-and-daytime-functioning.html (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals (2023) Health Canada approves QUVIVIQ (daridorexant). GlobeNewswire, 3 May. Available at: https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/60a1e161-50b1-4b22-8276-9be35d87ad1a (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals (2025) QUVIVIQ 50 mg film-coated tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic medicines compendium (emc). Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15360/smpc (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Idorsia Pharmaceuticals (2026) QUVIVIQ 50 mg film-coated tablets: Patient Information Leaflet. electronic medicines compendium (emc). Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15360/pil (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (2022) Public Assessment Report: QUVIVIQ 25 mg and 50 mg film-coated tablets. Available at: https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/ed2aeb19a5f58327b069031bc07c8f3a3ad2dec2 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (n.d.) Yellow Card: making medicines and medical devices safer. Available at: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Mignot, E. et al. (2022) 'Safety and efficacy of daridorexant in patients with insomnia disorder: results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials', The Lancet Neurology, 21(2), pp. 125–139. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00436-1 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Mind (n.d.) How sleep can affect mental health. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/sleep-problems/about-sleep-and-mental-health/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022) Sleepio to treat insomnia and insomnia symptoms (MTG70). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg70 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2023a) Daridorexant for treating long-term insomnia (TA922). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta922/chapter/1-Recommendations (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2023b) Daridorexant for treating long-term insomnia: information for the public. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta922/informationforpublic (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (n.d.) Insomnia. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insomnia/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Nxera Pharma (2024) Nxera Pharma receives approval of QUVIVIQ (daridorexant) 25 and 50 mg in Japan for the treatment of insomnia. BioSpace. Available at: https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/nxera-pharma-receives-approval-of-quviviq-daridorexant-25-and-50-mg-in-japan-for-the-treatment-of-insomnia (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Scottish Medicines Consortium (2024) Medicine: daridorexant (brand name: Quviviq®) – public summary. Available at: https://scottishmedicines.org.uk/medicines-advice/daridorexant-quviviq-full-smc2611/public-summary/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Simcere Pharmaceutical (2025) QUVIVIQ®: the world's new generation anti-insomnia drug. Available at: https://www.simcere.com/en/news/detail.aspx?mtt=1511 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

The Sleep Charity (n.d.a) Insomnia. Available at: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/adults/sleep-disorders/insomnia/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

The Sleep Charity (n.d.b) National Sleep Helpline. Available at: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/national-sleep-helpline/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

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Important medical disclaimer

The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, psychiatrist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Never start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.

Using AI to Understand Your Health Records Safely

You open the NHS App and see a blood test result: "eGFR 58". eGFR is an estimate of how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood. But what does 58 mean for you? It's tempting to paste it into an AI chatbot and ask.

You're not alone. Research from King's College London found that around one in seven people in the UK have used AI for health advice instead of contacting a GP (King's College London, 2026). AI can be a useful helper, but used carelessly, it can put your privacy at risk or give you the wrong idea about your health. Here's how to use it well.

Key insight

AI is good at explaining. It is not good at diagnosing. Use it to understand words and prepare questions, then take those questions to a health professional.

In this post

• The benefits and the pitfalls
• Step 1: Get and organise your records
• Step 2: Protect your privacy
• Step 3: Ask good questions
• Step 4: What to do with the results
• Common questions
• Further reading

The benefits and the pitfalls

The evidence is still early, and most studies are small. In a UK study, patient representatives understood hospital clinic letters better after ChatGPT rewrote them in plain English, and needed less help making sense of them. No medical information was lost in the rewriting (Cork and Hopcroft, 2025). A small US study of 45 adults found people understood example blood test results better after using AI than after a phone call with a professional. But face-to-face professionals were still better at building trust and easing worry (Esmaeilzadeh, 2026).

On the other side, an audit of five popular chatbots found around half of their answers to health questions were problematic, and the chatbots answered with confidence and certainty (Tiller et al., 2026). That study deliberately used tough questions on topics where false information is common, such as nutrition and stem cells, rather than explaining people's own records. But it shows how convincing a wrong answer can sound.

Benefits	Pitfalls
Plain English: explains medical words, abbreviations and long letters	Confidently wrong: it can sound sure and still be mistaken
Spotting patterns: puts results in date order so you can see changes over time	Missing context: it can't examine you or know what "normal" is for you
Better appointments: helps you prepare clear questions	False reassurance: one in five users said AI put them off seeking care (King's College London, 2026)
Any time: available when worries strike at 2am	Privacy: what you share may be stored or used to improve the tool
Less overwhelm: breaks big documents into manageable chunks	More worry: repeated searching can feed health anxiety (Patient.info, 2026)

Step 1: Get and organise your records

Your records are held by whoever cared for you: your GP surgery, hospital, dentist or optician (NHS England, n.d.). Here's where to look across the UK.

Source	What you can usually see	Good to know
NHS App (England)	Medicines, allergies, vaccinations, conditions, test results, consultation notes and specialist letters sent to your GP	Free, aged 16+. Test results can't be downloaded; ask your surgery for a copy (Healthwatch, 2025; NHS, n.d.a)
NHS Wales App	Prescription history, hospital appointments and waiting list referrals	Summary records and test results are planned (Welsh Government, 2026)
MyCare.scot (Scotland)	Health and social care information in one place	Went live nationally in June 2026; features are still being added (HTN, 2026)
My Care (Northern Ireland)	Appointments, medicines and some test results	Carers or family can be given access (Department of Health NI, 2024)
Hospital portals, e.g. Patients Know Best	Letters, test results, care plans and appointments, depending on your hospital	Often reached through the NHS App (Patients Know Best, n.d.)
Subject access request	A full copy of what an organisation holds about you, including older records not shown online	Usually free; reply normally due within one month (ICO, n.d.a)

A "subject access request" simply means asking in writing for a copy of your information. You don't need a solicitor (ICO, n.d.a). If you don't use a smartphone or computer, you can ask your surgery for printed copies (Healthwatch, 2025).

Looking after someone else's health?

In England, your GP surgery can set up family and carer access in the NHS App, so you can manage appointments, prescriptions and sometimes test results for someone else. You'll need to show ID (NHS, n.d.c). Only use AI with another person's records if they're happy for you to.

Getting your files into Google Drive

Several AI assistants, including Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, can connect to Google Drive, so the AI can look things up in your files when you ask. What's available depends on the tool, your plan and where you live (OpenAI, n.d.).

• Letters: some documents in the NHS App can be downloaded. Only save them to a device that you alone use (NHS, n.d.b).
• Test results: these can't be downloaded from the NHS App, so ask your surgery for a copy (NHS, n.d.a). Say if you'd like it as an electronic file.
• Everything else: make a subject access request and say you'd like the reply as electronic files (ICO, n.d.a).

Lock it down first

• Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account. It adds a second check if someone steals your password (Google, n.d.a).
• Keep your health folder set to "Restricted", so only people you choose can open it (Google, n.d.b).
• Connecting a tool such as Claude gives it the same access to your Drive that you have, not just one folder (Anthropic, n.d.). Think about what else is in your Drive.
• Check each tool's privacy policy. Claude and Gemini in Drive both say they don't train their AI on your Drive files (Anthropic, n.d.; Google, n.d.c).

A simple folder layout

Folder inside "Health Records"	What goes in it
00 Summary	One page listing your conditions, medicines and allergies (no name or NHS number)
01 GP records	Consultation notes and GP letters
02 Hospital letters	Clinic letters and discharge summaries
03 Test results	Blood tests, scans and other results
04 Symptom diary	Your own notes on symptoms, pain or sleep
05 Questions	Questions to take to appointments
06 AI summaries	Anything AI writes, kept apart so you never mistake it for your real record

• Name files date first, for example 2026-09-14 GP blood test, so they sort in order.
• Use text, not photos, where you can. Some AI tools skip pictures inside documents (Anthropic, n.d.).
• Save copies with your details blacked out, not the originals.
• Point the AI at the folder: "Using only my Health Records folder, list my cholesterol results by date."

Step 2: Protect your privacy

Whether you paste, upload or connect your files:

• Remove anything that identifies you: your name, NHS number, date of birth, address and hospital number. Crop screenshots.
• Check the privacy settings. Many AI tools let you stop your chats being used to train them. Switch this off if you can, and delete chats afterwards.
• Never share your NHS login. Be wary of any app that asks for your NHS password.
• Avoid shared or work devices for anything to do with your health.

Step 3: Ask good questions

Oxford researchers found people struggled to know what to tell chatbots, and the answers mixed good and bad advice (University of Oxford, 2026). So be clear about what you want.

A worked example

Here's how that first blood test might go:

You ask: "My blood test shows eGFR 58. Explain in plain English what eGFR measures. I'm not asking for a diagnosis. What questions could I ask my GP?"

A good answer says: eGFR estimates how well your kidneys filter waste. Healthy kidneys usually filter more than 90, and a lower number can be a sign of kidney disease (NHS, n.d.d). Only your doctor can say what your result means, alongside your history and other results.

Questions to take to your GP: Has my result changed since my last test? Do I need any more tests? Could any of my medicines or conditions affect it?

If an answer tells you that you definitely have, or definitely don't have, a condition, treat that as a warning sign.

Step 4: What to do with the results

1. Treat the AI's answer as a starting point, not the final word.
2. Check trusted sources. Compare what AI said with the NHS Conditions A to Z or a reputable charity, such as Arthritis UK for joint conditions.
3. Write down your top three questions and take them to your next appointment. Your GP knows the full picture.
4. If something worries you, don't wait. Use NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
5. Spotted a mistake? Ask your surgery to correct it. You have a legal right to have wrong information fixed, usually within one month. If they refuse, they must explain why, and you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO, n.d.c). For disputed opinions, your GP can add a note of your disagreement (Healthwatch, 2025).
6. Never change your medicines because of something AI said. Always speak to your prescriber first.

The bottom line

Your records belong to you, and understanding them helps you take part in decisions about your care. Use AI as a translator, not a doctor, and keep your personal details out of it.

Common questions

Is it safe to upload my NHS records to an AI chatbot?

No tool is risk-free. Remove anything that identifies you, switch off chat training if you can, and only use well-known tools.

Can AI read my blood test results?

It can explain what each test measures. It can't tell you what your results mean for you. That needs your doctor.

Can AI replace my GP?

No. In an Oxford trial, people using AI made health decisions no better than people who used internet searches or their own judgement (University of Oxford, 2026).

Do I have to pay for a copy of my records?

Usually not. Requests for your health information are normally free (ICO, n.d.b).

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Further reading

Organisation	Resource	Useful for
Patient.info	Can you trust AI with your health?	GP-reviewed tips on using AI wisely
Healthwatch	AI in NHS care: what's the impact, and what do people think?	Real patient experiences of AI
Healthwatch	Can I access my GP records online?	Your rights to see and correct records
Information Commissioner's Office	Getting copies of your information	Making a subject access request
NHS	Using family and carer access	Managing someone else's health
The Health Foundation	AI in health care: what do the public and NHS staff think?	UK views on AI in the NHS
University of Oxford	Risks in AI chatbots giving medical advice	Why chatbots struggle with real people
BJGP Open	ChatGPT and patient-friendly clinic letters	UK evidence on AI explaining letters
Google	Turn on 2-Step Verification	Securing your Google Drive

References

Anthropic (n.d.) Use Google Workspace connectors. Available at: https://support.claude.com/en/articles/10166901-use-google-workspace-connectors (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Cork, S.C. and Hopcroft, K. (2025) 'Evaluating ChatGPT for converting clinic letters into patient-friendly language: a quantitative study', BJGP Open, 9(3), BJGPO.2024.0300. doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0300. Available at: https://bjgpopen.org/content/9/3/BJGPO.2024.0300 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Department of Health NI (2024) Patients encouraged to sign up to My Care portal. 2 October. Available at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/patients-encouraged-sign-my-care-portal (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Esmaeilzadeh, P. (2026) 'Augmenting medical data interpretation with Large Language Models (LLMs): a comparative analysis of patient empowerment, information processing, and technology acceptance', BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 26, article 376. doi:10.1186/s12911-026-03686-9. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12911-026-03686-9 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Google (n.d.a) Turn on 2-Step Verification. Google Account Help. Available at: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Google (n.d.b) Share files from Google Drive. Google Drive Help. Available at: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494822?hl=en-GB (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Google (n.d.c) Learn how Gemini in Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Docs, Drive, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Vids & Pics protects your data. Google Docs Editors Help. Available at: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/14615114?hl=en (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Healthwatch (2025) Can I access my GP records online? 3 October. Available at: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-10-03/can-i-access-my-gp-records-online (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

HTN (2026) MyCare.Scot digital front door goes live across Scotland. HTN Health Tech News, 19 June. Available at: https://htn.co.uk/2026/06/19/mycare-scot-digital-front-door-goes-live-across-scotland/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) (n.d.a) Getting copies of your information (SAR). Available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/getting-copies-of-your-information-subject-access-request/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) (n.d.b) Health information. Available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/right-of-access/health-information/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) (n.d.c) Your right to get your data corrected. Available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/your-right-to-get-your-data-corrected/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

King's College London (2026) One in seven people have used AI instead of seeing a GP, study finds. 13 May. Available at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/one-in-seven-people-have-used-ai-instead-of-seeing-a-gp-study-finds (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (n.d.a) Viewing test results: NHS App help and support. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/health-records-in-the-nhs-app/test-results/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (n.d.b) Viewing documents: NHS App help and support. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/documents/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (n.d.c) Using family and carer access: NHS App help and support. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/profile/family-and-carer-access/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS (n.d.d) Chronic kidney disease: diagnosis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

NHS England (n.d.) Getting copies of medical records. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/common-questions/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-my-health-medical-records/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

OpenAI (n.d.) Google Drive app and setup in ChatGPT. Available at: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/10929079-google-drive-app-and-setup-in-chatgpt (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Patient.info (2026) Can you trust AI with your health? Written by V. Raw, reviewed by Dr C. Tidy. 20 April. Available at: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/can-you-trust-ai-with-your-health (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Patients Know Best (n.d.) Patients and carers. Available at: https://patientsknowbest.com/patients-and-carers/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Tiller, N.B., Marcon, A.R., Zenone, M., Kidd, K.E., Jeukendrup, A.E., Master, Z. and Caulfield, T. (2026) 'Generative artificial intelligence-driven chatbots and medical misinformation: an accuracy, referencing and readability audit', BMJ Open, 16(4), e112695. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-112695. Available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/16/4/e112695 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

University of Oxford (2026) New study warns of risks in AI chatbots giving medical advice. 10 February. Available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-02-10-new-study-warns-risks-ai-chatbots-giving-medical-advice (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

Welsh Government (2026) Written Statement: NHS Wales App Update. 21 January. Available at: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-nhs-wales-app-update (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

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Important medical disclaimer

The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, psychiatrist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Never start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.