Nutrition Deficiency Blood Test

The Nutrition Deficiency Blood Test measures key biomarkers including Albumin, Ferritin, Folate (B9), Hematocrit, Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D. This comprehensive panel helps identify potential nutrient imbalances that can impact overall health, supporting informed decisions for targeted dietary or medical interventions. By assessing these critical nutrients, the test provides valuable insights into your nutritional status to optimize wellbeing.

Biomarkers:

• Albumin: This test measures albumin, the most abundant protein in your blood. Made in the liver, albumin helps maintain blood volume, transport nutrients and hormones, and acts as a main antioxidant. Levels may drop with inflammation, infection, nutritional deficiencies, liver or kidney disease, and naturally decline with age.
• Ferritin: This test measures ferritin, a protein that stores and transports iron. Iron is vital for red blood cell production and energy, but free iron can be toxic, so ferritin safely regulates it. Low ferritin indicates depleted iron stores, while high levels may reflect excess iron or conditions like inflammation or infection. This test helps assess both iron status and possible inflammatory issues.
• Folate (Vitamin B9): This test measures vitamin B9 (folate) in your blood. Folate is essential for DNA production, amino acid metabolism, blood cell formation, nervous system health, and antioxidant protection. Since the body can’t make it, folate must come from foods like leafy greens and fruits, or in the supplement form. Stored mainly in the liver, folate deficiency is more common in pregnant women, the elderly, those with gut disorders, hemolytic anemia, after weight loss surgery, or those with methylation pathway issues.
• Hematocrit: This test measures hematocrit (HCT), the percentage of your blood made up of red blood cells. Since red blood cells carry oxygen, HCT reflects how well your body delivers oxygen to tissues.
• Homocysteine: This test measures homocysteine, an amino acid made from methionine. Normally kept low with the help of B vitamins, high levels may indicate deficiencies in B12, folate, or B6. Elevated homocysteine has been linked to heart disease, vitamin deficiencies, and cognitive issues.
• Vitamin B12: This test measures vitamin B12 (cobalamin) levels in your blood. B12 is essential for making blood cells, supporting DNA synthesis, and maintaining brain and nervous system health. Since the body can’t produce it, B12 must come from foods like meat and dairy, or in supplement form. The liver stores years’ worth, so deficiencies usually reflect long-term shortages. Higher-risk groups include vegans, vegetarians, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, heavy drinkers, obese individuals, and those with digestive disorders or methylation pathway issues.
• Vitamin D: This test measures 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the main form used to assess vitamin D status. Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” it supports calcium and phosphorus absorption for bone health, while also aiding muscle strength, immunity, blood pressure, and insulin regulation. Vitamin D comes from sunlight, diet, or supplements, and is converted in the liver to 25(OH)D before becoming active in the kidneys. Since active vitamin D can appear normal even in deficiency, 25(OH)D is the most reliable measure. Doctors use this test to check for bone issues, parathyroid problems, or absorption disorders, and to screen high-risk groups such as older adults, people with darker skin, the obese, vegans, and pregnant women.