What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Vitamin Deficiency and Wellness Blood Test Panel, which helps to screen for vitamin deficiency and assess overall health and wellness. Vitamins and minerals are essential to human health, and deficiencies can significantly impact overall health. In addition, specific vitamins and minerals that the body cannot produce on its own must be ingested regularly to maintain a healthy, strong body. This blood test panel can help assess an individual's overall status so that they can make deliberate choices to remedy potential deficiencies in their diet. This panel may be used as part of a routine health screening or ordered when individuals experience signs and symptoms of deficiencies.
What conditions cause vitamin deficiencies?
Vitamin deficiencies occur when an individual does not get enough of a particular vitamin or mineral, which can cause significant health problems. For example, malnourishment or a very limited diet may increase the risk of health problems like:
- Heart disease
- Vision problems
- Diabetes
- Stunted growth
- Infections
- Cancer
- Poor bone health (osteoporosis)
In addition, some underlying health conditions can cause the malabsorption of vitamins, resulting in a deficiency.
This panel includes the following:
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (14 tests) Includes:
- Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to screen for diabetes and also used in diabetes management.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - An indicator of kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing BUN by creatinine. This ratio can suggest conditions including dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) - Measures kidney function to determine kidney disease stage and detect early kidney damage.
- Liver Panel
- Protein, Total - Assists in determining liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin Serum - One of the major proteins essential for the healthy function of the liver and kidney.
- Globulin, Total - One of the major proteins that assist the blood to clot properly and also comprises infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing albumin by globulin. When paired with other test results, this ratio can assist in diagnosing various liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total - Aids in detecting hepatitis, sickle cell, anemia, cirrhosis, alcohol, and drug abuse. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A protein vital in detecting bone disorders and liver disease.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme helpful in evaluating liver function. An elevated level is an indication of hepatitis.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme helpful in identifying liver damage. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - One of the major salts in body fluid. Sodium is important in water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio:
- Cholesterol, Total - a sterol in the blood. Knowing the cholesterol level may be as important as knowing the blood pressure. Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
- Triglycerides - fat in the blood that provides energy to the body's cells. Triglycerides should be less than 400 mg/dl even while in a non-fasting state.
- HDL Cholesterol - High-density lipoproteins are believed to take cholesterol away from cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing. They are known as the "good" cholesterol, as people with high levels of HDL may have less heart disease. Low HDL could be the result of a lack of exercise and smoking.
- LDL Cholesterol - Low-density lipoproteins contain the most significant percentage of cholesterol and may be responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls. They are known as the "bad" cholesterol.
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. This is the ratio used by physicians in determining the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets - A complete blood count (CBC) will give important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood, especially red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC helps health professionals check any symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, or bruising, that you may have. A CBC also helps diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and many other disorders.
Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Blood Test - is often ordered for individuals with a vitamin D deficiency. It may also be ordered before an individual begins osteoporosis drug therapy. Low levels may indicate a dietary deficiency, malabsorption, or lack of exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential in healthy bones and teeth growth and formation. Without it, children can develop a bone-malformation condition known as rickets, and adults can develop osteomalacia, characterized by weakness, softness, or fractures of the bones. Vitamin D also helps regulate levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the blood and has been shown to influence the growth of other tissues in the body and the regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in developing conditions such as cancer, heart disease‚ osteoporosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin B12 and Folate (Folic Acid, Vitamin B9) - are mainly ordered to help diagnose the cause of macrocytic anemia. Vitamin B12 is essential for making red blood cells and nerve cell function. Deficiency can lead to different forms of anemia and impaired liver and kidney function. In addition, vitamin B12 is decreased in pernicious anemia, total or partial gastrectomy, malabsorption, and certain congenital and biochemical disorders.
Magnesium - this mineral is vital to nerves and muscles. Magnesium helps the body use and make and is needed to move potassium and sodium into and out of cells. Low magnesium is found in malnutrition, alcoholism, diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, and more. High magnesium is seen in kidney failure.
When should I order a Vitamin Deficiency and Wellness Blood Test Panel?
Individuals may order this panel if they have experienced vitamin deficiency symptoms. Common signs or symptoms of a deficiency include:
- Hair loss
- Mouth ulcers
- Bleeding gums
- Dry and brittle hair and nails
- Poor night vision or white growths in the eyes
- Scaly patches on the skin or dandruff
- Red or white bumps on the skin
- Restless leg syndrome
