Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (2 yellow ACD tubes)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 10–14 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delay.
Benefits
- Functional cellular analysis measures how well your body actually uses nutrients over 4-6 months
- 31 comprehensive nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids in one test
- No fasting required - convenient blood draw any time Monday through Friday
- Personalized supplementation recommendations with specific dosage guidance for deficiencies
- More accurate than serum testing - detects functional deficiencies missed by standard blood work
- Direct access without physician referral in most states
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing chronic fatigue, frequent infections, or slow wound healing
- People managing chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or autoimmune disorders
- Athletes and active individuals seeking to optimize performance and recovery
- Those following restrictive diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) or with digestive issues
- Adults over 50 concerned about age-related nutrient absorption changes
- Anyone taking medications that may affect nutrient absorption or utilization
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Schedule your blood draw at home or at a convenient lab location
- Provide 2 yellow ACD tubes of blood - no fasting or special preparation needed
- Receive comprehensive results in your secure portal within 10-14 days
FAQ
How is this different from regular vitamin blood tests? Standard serum tests measure nutrients in your blood over days, while SpectraCell measures actual cellular function over 4-6 months using patented intracellular analysis.
What nutrients does this test measure? 31 total nutrients including B-complex vitamins, vitamin D3, magnesium, zinc, CoQ10, glutathione, amino acids, plus exclusive SPECTROX® antioxidant function score.
Do I need to stop taking supplements before testing? Continue regular medications and supplements. For most accurate results, consider avoiding high-dose supplements 24-48 hours prior to testing.
How long until I see improvement after addressing deficiencies? Most nutrients require 3-6 months of targeted supplementation to reach optimal cellular levels, with energy and immune improvements often noticed within weeks.
Can this test diagnose specific diseases? This is a nutritional assessment tool that identifies functional deficiencies. Results should be discussed with a healthcare provider familiar with functional medicine.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The SpectraCell MicroNutrient Test evaluates how well your body utilizes 31 essential nutrients at the cellular level. Unlike standard serum testing that measures nutrient levels in blood, this patented Functional Intracellular Analysis (FIA) technology assesses whether nutrients are actually being absorbed and used by your cells for optimal metabolic processes (SpectraCell Laboratories).
With 94.3% of Americans not meeting vitamin D requirements and significant deficiencies in vitamin E (88.5%), magnesium (52.2%), and other essential nutrients, this comprehensive analysis provides actionable insights for personalized nutrition optimization (Linus Pauling Institute 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
Research shows that 50% of people taking multivitamins remain functionally deficient in at least one essential nutrient. This test particularly benefits individuals with chronic health conditions, digestive disorders affecting absorption, athletes with increased nutrient demands, and those following restrictive diets.
Adults experiencing unexplained fatigue, frequent infections, poor wound healing, or managing conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease can gain valuable insights into underlying nutritional factors contributing to their symptoms.
When should I order a MicroNutrient, Blood - SpectraCell Test Kit?
Consider this test if you're experiencing persistent fatigue, frequent illness, or slow recovery despite maintaining what you believe is a healthy diet. It's particularly valuable for individuals with digestive conditions like celiac disease, IBD, or SIBO that may impair nutrient absorption.
Athletes, vegetarians, adults over 50, and those taking medications that affect nutrient absorption should consider regular monitoring to optimize their nutritional status and prevent deficiency-related health issues.
How do I interpret the results?
Results categorize each of the 31 nutrients as deficient (red), borderline (yellow), or adequate (green) based on functional cellular requirements rather than population averages. The comprehensive report includes specific supplementation recommendations with dosages for any identified deficiencies.
Deficient (Red)
- What it Means: Cellular function impaired by inadequate nutrient levels
- Typical Action: Begin targeted high-dose supplementation as recommended
Borderline (Yellow)
- What it Means: Suboptimal nutrient function, early deficiency signs
- Typical Action: Moderate supplementation and dietary optimization
Adequate (Green)
- What it Means: Optimal cellular nutrient function
- Typical Action: Continue current nutrition approach
The report also includes exclusive SPECTROX® (total antioxidant function) and IMMUNIDEX™ (immune response) scores for additional health insights.
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
No fasting is required for this test, making it convenient to schedule at any time. Continue all regular medications and supplements unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider. For the most accurate assessment of your baseline nutritional status, consider avoiding high-dose supplements 24-48 hours before testing.
The blood draw requires 2 full yellow ACD tubes and must be collected Monday through Friday due to laboratory processing requirements (SpectraCell Support).
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual health status, dietary patterns, and whether you're addressing known deficiencies. The 4-6 month assessment period of this test makes it ideal for monitoring long-term nutritional trends.
- Initial baseline or addressing deficiencies: Every 6 months until optimal
- Maintenance with good health: Annually
- Chronic conditions or malabsorption: Every 4–6 months
- Major dietary or lifestyle changes: 3–4 months after changes
Why early detection matters
Micronutrient deficiencies often develop silently over months or years before clinical symptoms appear. Early detection through functional cellular analysis allows for targeted intervention before deficiencies contribute to chronic health conditions, immune dysfunction, or accelerated aging.
With more than 5 billion people globally having inadequate intake of essential nutrients (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2024), proactive nutritional assessment empowers you to optimize your health and prevent deficiency-related complications.
Related tests you may consider
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential provides essential context for micronutrient results by evaluating blood health parameters that can reveal iron deficiency anemia, B12/folate deficiencies, and immune system status.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) measures 14 key substances including glucose, kidney function, liver enzymes, and electrolytes to identify underlying conditions that might affect nutrient absorption or utilization.
Inflammatory Markers Panel helps interpret micronutrient results since chronic inflammation significantly impacts nutrient absorption and may require addressing before effective nutrient repletion.
