Vitamins & Minerals Complete Test

Description

Testing for –

Adjusted Calcium – Calcium binds to proteins in the blood, especially albumin. So when albumin levels are low, calcium levels will be measured as low, even though the level of unbound calcium in the blood may be normal. a corrected calcium result aims to compensate for the serum albumin level and indicates the true calcium level.

Albumin – Albumin (ALB) is a protein produced by the liver and is the most abundant protein in the blood, it transports components throughout the body, nourishes tissues & prevents blood vessel leakage.
Albumin is highly sensitive to liver damage so lower levels can indicate when the liver is damaged. Many other factors also affect albumin levels, such as malnutrition, acute illnesses and inflammation.

Calcium – Nearly all (99%) of your body’s calcium is found in the bones. The rest circulates in your blood in both ‘free’ and ‘bound’ forms. This test measures for the total amount of calcium in your blood and can indicate low (hypocalcaemia) or high (hypercalcaemia). Both low and high levels are associated with a number of conditions related to Vitamin D, parathyroid gland, kidney disease or bone diseases.

Ferritin (Iron) – Ferritin is a blood protein that is high in iron, making it a very good indicator of the overall amount of iron stored in the body. Iron is crucial for the production of healthy red blood cells, and deficiencies may eventually lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

Ferritin is a protein known as acute phase reactant – this means that levels of ferritin are increase when the body has to respond to an insult such as infection, inflammation, trauma or cancer. When the test is done whilst the patient is suffering from these condition, interpretation can be very tricky. Alternatively, ferritin can also be used to monitor resolution of inflammation in certain conditions.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for many bodily functions, such as brain health, blood cell production, and proper nerve function.

Vitamin B12 is absorbed through foods such as meat, fish and eggs with several years worth stored in the liver, so deficiencies are uncommon in non-vegans.

Other than dietary causes, vitamin B12 levels can be abnormal in gastrointestinal diseases such as pernicious anaemia, inflammatory bowels disease or coeliac disease.

Vitamin B9 – Vitamin B9 (also known as Folate) is an important B vitamin. It helps utilise amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins, in order to form blood cells, tissue and aid cellular repair.

Vitamin B9 must be consumed regularly in the diet – typically from green vegetables and fruits. All pregnant women need increased amounts of folate for proper fetal development even if the levels are normal.

Magnesium – Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It’s essential for bone health, nerve and muscle function, and maintaining a healthy immune system.

This test measures the level of magnesium in your blood and can help identify conditions such as hypomagnesemia (low magnesium) or hypermagnesemia (high magnesium), which can be indicative of various health issues.

Vitamin D – Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, mostly produced in the skin by sunlight (up to 90%) although it is also absorbed from food & supplements. Its main role is regulating how the body absorbs calcium, phosphate and magnesium from the gut. Correct levels of these minerals are vital for healthy bone growth.