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Red Blood Cell (RBC) Elements Blood Test - Doctor's Data Kit

A RBC Elements Blood Test provides a reliable means of identifying short-term toxic element exposure and evaluating intracellular mineral nutrient status. Results help to quickly pinpoint imbalances underlying conditions such as chronic fatigue, depression, ADHD, and cardiovascular disease.  Note: This is a pre-paid shipping test kit that will be mailed and it requires a blood draw. Please Click Here to locate a lab for specimen collection.


Test Code: DDRBC

Also Known As:

Methodology:

Specimen Type: Blood

Preparation:

10-12 hours fasting is required. 72 hours prior to the specimen collection discontinue taking non-essential medications, and dietary supplements containing minerals. Check with physician before stopping medications. Specimen must be sent to lab by overnight mail Monday-Thursday only. Please read patient instructions very carefully prior to beginning the test.

Test Results:

4-6 days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.

Description

Red blood cell (RBC) analysis is an invaluable method for assessing insufficiency or excess of elements that have important functions within cells or on blood cell membranes. An important feature of this analysis is that the cells are not washed, because this would result in partial loss of some important elements, such as calcium, that bind to the plasma membrane. 

This test is useful for

  • Alopecia
  • Anemia
  • Bone Density
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Depression
  • Dermatitis or Poor Wound Healing
  • Detoxification Therapy
  • Fatigue
  • Gastrointestinal Symptoms
  • Hypertension
  • Inflammation
  • Immune Function
  • Impaired Glucose Tolerance
  • Kidney Function
  • Nutritional Deficiencies
  • Parkinson's-like Symptoms
  • Sexual Impotence or Decreased Testosterone Production
  • Vision Problems

Disorders specifically associated with zinc deficiency are also addressed by this analysis. These disorders include loss of visual acuity, dysgeusia, dermatitis and poor wound healing, alopecia, amino acid malabsorption, sexual impotence, decreased production of testosterone, depressed immune function and growth retardation.

Accurate assessment of essential element status is highly recommended for the determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and, although essential, excess retention of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects.

RBC element analysis is also useful for the assessment of ongoing or very recent exposure to specific toxic elements that accumulate preferentially in erythrocytes. These toxic elements include arsenic, cadmium, lead, methylmercury and thallium. It is important to keep in mind that elevated levels of the toxic elements in these cells reflect only recent or ongoing exposure and do not provide information about the net retention of the metals in the body.

RBC element analysis should be performed prior to and intermittently throughout the course of detoxification or chelation therapy. Monitoring essential element status is necessary to identify needs for and effectiveness of supplementation. Replacement and maintenance of adequate levels of essential nutrients can markedly reduce the apparent adverse "side effects" associated with the use of detoxification agents and the general effects of mobilization of toxic elements. It is important to note that some diseases are associated with abnormal levels of blood cell elements that could be misleading with respect to nutritional status. For example, blood cell copper can be temporarily elevated during inflammatory response while liver levels are not.

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