Notice: This test kit is not available for purchase by residents of New York due to state restrictions. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Quick Facts
- Sample: Whole blood via venipuncture
- Fasting: Overnight fast required
- Turn-around: 4-6 business days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detects hidden deficiencies - Measures essential minerals inside cells where standard tests miss them
- Identifies toxic exposures - Screens for harmful metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic
- Guides targeted treatment - Provides precise data for supplement and detox protocols
- Convenient home ordering - Direct-to-consumer kit with local blood draw scheduling
- Confidential results - Private testing
- Comprehensive analysis - Tests 18 essential and toxic elements in one panel
Who Is This Test For?
- People with unexplained fatigue or chronic health issues
- Individuals concerned about heavy metal exposure from environment or occupation
- Those wanting to optimize supplement regimens with precise mineral data
- People with cardiovascular, anemia, or skin conditions linked to element imbalances
- Anyone seeking deeper nutritional insights beyond routine blood work
- Individuals undergoing detoxification or chelation therapy monitoring
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order your kit online - Kit ships directly to your home with prepaid lab requisition
- Schedule blood draw - Visit any local phlebotomy center Monday-Friday for sample collection
- Receive secure results - Get detailed report in 4-6 business days
FAQ
What makes this different from regular blood mineral tests? This test measures elements inside red blood cells, reflecting your true intracellular mineral status rather than just what's circulating in serum.
Do I need to stop supplements before testing? Yes, avoid non-essential mineral supplements for 72 hours and fast overnight before your blood draw for accurate results.
Can this test detect recent heavy metal exposure? Absolutely - RBC analysis shows both recent exposures and accumulated toxic metals with over 90% sensitivity (Mayo Clinic 2024).
How long do results take? Your comprehensive report typically arrives within 4-6 business days from when the lab receives your sample.
What if my results show abnormal levels? Consult with a healthcare provider for interpretation and treatment planning.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The RBC Elements Blood Test measures concentrations of essential minerals (magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium) and toxic metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium) within your red blood cells. Unlike standard serum tests that only show what's circulating in your blood, this analysis reveals your true intracellular mineral status - providing insights into both nutritional deficiencies and toxic exposures at the cellular level where metabolism actually occurs (Doctor's Data 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for health-conscious individuals experiencing unexplained symptoms like chronic fatigue, brain fog, or cardiovascular issues that may stem from hidden mineral imbalances. People with occupational or environmental heavy metal exposure, those undergoing detoxification protocols, and individuals wanting to optimize their supplement regimens based on precise intracellular data will find this analysis especially useful (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 2023).
When should I order the Red Blood Cell (RBC) Elements Blood Test?
Consider ordering this test if you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, suspect toxic metal exposure, want to monitor the effectiveness of supplement or detox protocols, or haven't found answers through routine blood work. It's also valuable for those with chronic conditions like anemia, cardiovascular disease, or dermatitis that may be linked to mineral imbalances (American Academy of Family Physicians 2023).
How do I interpret the results?
Your results include reference ranges based on healthy populations. Levels outside ±1.5 standard deviations from the mean may indicate nutritional imbalance or potential toxicity requiring further evaluation.
Below reference range
- What it means: Potential deficiency
- Typical action: Targeted supplementation, dietary changes
Within reference range
- What it means: Adequate levels
- Typical action: Maintain current nutrition status
Above reference range
- What it means: Possible excess or toxicity
- Typical action: Reduce exposure, consider chelation if toxic
Over 30% of U.S. adults are at risk of at least one mineral deficiency, most commonly magnesium or zinc (NIH 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Fast overnight (no food or drink except water after midnight) and avoid non-essential medications and mineral-containing supplements for 72 hours before your blood draw unless directed otherwise by your physician. Bring your kit and prepaid requisition form to any phlebotomy center Monday through Friday (Doctor's Data Kit Instructions 2025).
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening or symptoms: Baseline, then 3–6 months after intervention
- Ongoing supplementation: Every 6–12 months to monitor levels
- Environmental/occupational exposure: Every 3–6 months or as recommended
- Maintenance monitoring: Annually for overall health optimization
Why early detection matters
Early identification of mineral deficiencies and toxic metal exposure prevents serious health complications. For example, correcting magnesium deficiency can reduce cardiovascular morbidity risk by up to 22% in high-risk populations (NIH 2023). Meanwhile, 2.6% of U.S. children have elevated blood lead levels, making early detection critical for preventing cognitive and behavioral effects (CDC 2023). The economic burden of late-detected heavy metal toxicity reaches $50 billion annually in healthcare costs (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2022).
Related tests you may consider
Heavy Metals Profile I Blood Test- Checks for harmful levels of metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic to help identify exposure that may cause fatigue, memory issues, or digestive problems and guide you in managing your health.
Micronutrients, B-Vitamin Blood Test Panel - Measures levels of B-vitamins to identify deficiencies that may cause health problems.
Comprehensive Urine Element Profile - Genova Test Kit - Checks for 15 essential nutrients and 20 toxic metals in urine to detect harmful exposures like lead and mercury, assess mineral balance, and help identify health issues such as fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysfunction, making it useful for those concerned about toxins, nutrient deficiencies, or detox progress.
