Micronutrient testing is experimental and unproven, hence it isn’t covered. To establish the efficacy or effects on health care outcomes, there is inadequate trustworthy evidence in the form of high-quality peer-reviewed medical literature.
Can a doctor order a micronutrient test?
Vitamin deficiency tests can be performed at home to identify if a person is deficient in one or more vitamins. The tests can also reveal the vitamins and minerals a person is deficient in.
A person should follow up an at-home test with a doctor’s consultation regardless of the test result, but especially if it is positive. The doctor can look for any underlying issues, do additional tests if necessary, and provide appropriate therapy.
Can I get tested for nutrient deficiency?
Iron, as well as vitamins B6 and D, are the most frequent vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the United States, according to the CDC. Vitamins B12 and C are closely followed, with vitamins A, E, and B9 (folate) being less frequent.
How do I know if I have a vitamin deficiency?
Testing is the only method to know for sure whether you have a nutritional deficiency. However, if you have a large deficiency, you might have symptoms including weariness, dizziness, and skin problems (i.e., easy bruising, dryness, and brittleness).
What are the consequences of vitamin deficiencies?
While the specific health risks differ depending on the type of dietary deficit, the implications may extend beyond weariness.
A low iron intake, for example, can cause anemia, and a long-term vitamin D deficit can affect bone health and overall inflammation in the body.
Do I need to take supplements?
Although it is preferable to obtain important nutrients through foods, your doctor may advise you to take supplements if your diet is deficient in specific vitamins and minerals. One example is vitamin B12 for vegetarian or vegan diets.
However, you should not begin taking any supplements until you have been tested and have spoken with your doctor. This can help prevent overuse of supplements, as well as vitamin and mineral excesses.
What types of tests check for vitamin deficiencies?
Blood tests have typically been used to assess for vitamin deficits. Saliva tests are also available, however they may not be as accurate as blood testing. This is why all of our choices are based on blood samples collected via finger pricking.
Does a CBC panel show vitamin deficiency?
While a complete blood count (CBC) will not identify particular dietary deficiencies, some of the results may cause your doctor to order additional tests. A low hemoglobin count, for example, could suggest iron deficiency anemia.
Will the doctor test for vitamin deficiencies at my annual physical?
Unless you specifically request it, nutritional deficiencies aren’t usually checked during annual physicals.
At your annual checkup, your doctor will most likely perform a CBC, cholesterol check, and other preventive blood tests. If you want to do an at-home vitamin deficiency test, you can also have additional testing done at your doctor’s office.
If you have a history of vitamin deficiencies or if you have certain health problems that raise your risk of them, a routine checkup is always a good opportunity to tell your doctor.
Is it less expensive to test for vitamin deficiencies at home?
While we looked into the cost of our recommended at-home vitamin deficiency testing, we discovered that they aren’t covered by health insurance. You may be allowed to put your FSA/HSA funds toward your purchases in some instances.
You can also check with your insurance company to see if nutritional deficiency tests done at your doctor’s office or a nearby lab are covered. Comparing such prices might assist you in determining which choice is the most cost-effective.
Are nutrition blood tests worth it?
The levels of these macronutrients and micronutrients in the blood can be measured through nutrition testing. Doctors can identify nutritional deficits by comparing test findings to a reference range of normal values.
Do I need to fast for a micronutrient test?
Your body’s ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients is measured by the Micronutrient Test. This non-fasting blood test determines if you have a vitamin deficit and provides a treatment plan.
How do you test for micronutrient deficiencies?
The only method to tell if you’re deficient in micronutrients is to have a blood test. You can next take efforts to address this imbalance by supplementing your food or changing your lifestyle.
Test Results & Personalized Consultation
We can not only discuss with you about your results after your blood work is in, but we can also propose ways to supplement your diet to remedy a micronutrient shortfall. Your test results will be fully documented, along with an explanation and treatment recommendations.
When you know whether you have a micronutrient deficiency and what you can do to supplement it, you can make better health decisions for yourself and your family all year long.
Does insurance cover vitamin D test?
ROCHESTER, N.Y. According to a report released today by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, nearly nine out of ten upstate New Yorkers have no medical need to have their vitamin D levels evaluated, but health care providers and consumers continue to seek the test frequently.
Last year, 641,000 people in upstate New York had their vitamin D levels checked, with around 42% of them doing so without a medical reason. Only patients with particular medical diseases, such as osteoporosis, kidney and liver illness, malabsorption syndromes, bone abnormalities, and certain endocrine disorders, are usually tested. Vitamin D testing is also recommended for older persons, pregnant or lactating women, and some pregnant or lactating women.
“Even if there is a medical need to test for vitamin D insufficiency, it’s reasonable to question whether the test is necessary,” said Matthew Bartels, M.D., Excellus BCBS medical director for health care improvement. “If your doctor suspects a deficiency in vitamin D, taking an over-the-counter pill or increasing your vitamin D intake through your food may be enough.”
Widespread testing has been linked to potentially needless supplement therapies, retesting, and higher medical costs. A vitamin D deficiency test normally costs $50 and is covered by health insurance. According to an Excellus BCBS infographic titled “Vitamin D Tests,” an estimated $33 million was spent on vitamin D testing in upstate New York in 2014. Depending on the patient’s level of health insurance coverage, high-dose, prescription-strength vitamin D supplements may have an out-of-pocket cost.
Vitamin D is required for the proper functioning of our bodies. It aids in the absorption of calcium, which helps to maintain the health and strength of our bones and muscles, including the heart. “Most individuals receive adequate vitamin D from what they eat and how much time they spend in the sun,” Bartels said.
“Because previous studies have connected vitamin D insufficiency to a variety of illnesses, including heart disease and cancer,” said Bartels, “patients and physicians began seeking more tests.” “A more recent critical examination of these reports has revealed serious problems, prompting many in the medical profession to question the need for widespread testing.”
The present medical evidence is insufficient to determine the balance of benefits and hazards of screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic people, according to the US Preventive Services Task Force.
“Many people have low levels of vitamin D, but few have critically low levels,” according to the American Society of Clinical Pathology, which contributed to Choosing Wisely. A vitamin D test isn’t necessary for the majority of people. We only need to make a few little adjustments to ensure that we obtain enough vitamin D.”
Choosing Wisely is a foundation initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) that includes over 300 care recommendations submitted by physician-led medical specialty societies to improve the quality of care and encourage conversations between physicians and patients about services that may be unnecessary and may cause harm.
According to Bartels, daily vitamin D intake through food and/or supplements should be 600 international units for people under the age of 70 and 800 international units for those over 70. “Taking a multivitamin or vitamin D supplement may not hurt to guarantee that you truly consume the necessary quantity,” he said.
The Excellus BCBS infographic cites cod liver oil, salmon, and tuna as foods high in vitamin D, in addition to multivitamins and vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is supplemented in other, more widely consumed foods such as milk, cereal, and orange juice.
Getting five to 30 minutes of sun twice a week during the spring, summer, and fall can also provide us with all of the vitamin D we require throughout the year. Sun exposure isn’t recommended as a means to improve vitamin D levels since it raises the risk of skin cancer, according to the US Preventive Services Task Force.
“The reality is that only about one out of every ten people in upstate New York has a medical need to be checked,” Bartels said, adding that determining what a normal vitamin D level is challenging. Individuals with darker skin pigmentation, as well as those with a BMI that puts them in the obese category, can have low vitamin D levels. It’s uncertain whether low vitamin D levels are linked to negative health outcomes.
“There is insufficient medical evidence for any benefits of frequent vitamin D insufficiency testing in healthy people and children,” Bartels found. “Excellus BCBS’ purpose in evaluating the data and creating an infographic on the topic is to encourage patients and their doctors to have educated dialogues.”
What vitamin deficiency can cause anxiety?
Various mental health issues may have a negative impact on your way of living. Depression is one of them, and it’s linked to a deficiency in certain vitamins. It is the most frequent form of mental illness. More than 19 million Americans, or roughly 8% of the population, have been diagnosed with depression, according to statistics. People of various ages, colors, financial origins, and nationalities are affected by it.
Vitamin B complex in the diet can aid to improve mental wellness. Vitamin B shortage can wreak havoc on your memory and lead to cognitive decline and dementia. Vitamin B plays a role in the complication of depressed symptoms.
Depression has been linked to low folate levels. Antidepressants mixed with vitamin supplements such as folic acid (a synthetic form of folate commonly known as vitamin B9) can help women feel better. Folic acid aids in the production of healthy red blood cells in the body.
Where can I get folic acid? Green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, fortified bread, and cereals all contain folic acid. Because vitamin pills do not work as a stand-alone treatment for mental illness, it is critical to incorporate these foods into your daily diet. You should only take about 1 mg of folic acid each day.
Mental health and vitamin B1 (thiamin). Deficits in vitamin B1 have also been linked to mental health issues such memory loss, anxiety, sadness, irritability, and insomnia. This vitamin aids in the conversion of glucose or blood sugar into energy in the brain. This means that if it isn’t present, the brain may be unable to function normally. Vitamin deficiency can also cause weariness, appetite loss, and gastrointestinal problems.
Which vitamin is responsible for hair growth?
Biotin, a B vitamin, is one of the most well-known vitamins for hair development. Human hair loss has been linked to biotin deficiency in studies (5).
Biotin is utilized as an alternate hair loss treatment, however it works best for people who are lacking. However, because it occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods, deficiency is quite unusual. There is also a scarcity of information on whether biotin is useful in promoting hair growth in healthy people.
Other B vitamins aid in the formation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles and scalp. For hair growth, several mechanisms are critical.
Furthermore, the only good sources of vitamin B12 are animal foods. Consider taking a supplement if you adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet.
How do you find out what vitamins you are deficient in?
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that you require in very little quantities. A nutritional shortage can occur if you don’t obtain enough of them. A blood test can be used to determine if a deficit exists. You may need to take a supplement if you know you’re lacking in anything.
What is micronutrient testing?
Micronutrient testing is a complete nutrient study that detects functional deficits in a person’s nutritional status at the cellular level. It’s used to see how well 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites are utilized by the body. It’s a simple blood/lab draw that assesses vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, minerals, and metabolites at a deeper level.
Micronutrient deficiencies have been linked to inflammation and chronic disease, compromising both physical and mental health and, as a result, quality of life.
Enzymes, hormones, and other compounds required for normal growth, development, and overall health are produced by the micronutrients evaluated.
Despite taking supplements and multivitamins, half of the population is lacking in micronutrients.
The micronutrient requirements of one person may differ from those of another because we are all unique individuals.
Deficiencies develop when vitamins, minerals, and/or antioxidants are not efficiently absorbed.
These impairments are most commonly present in those who have chronic illnesses.
Micronutrient requirements change with age, and absorption decreases as we become older. Certain drugs, smoking, drinking, physical/emotional stressors, and poor lifestyle choices (such as a sedentary lifestyle) can all have an affect on micronutrient status and needs.
A Micronutrient Testing Day is being held at Synergy Rehabilitation and Wellness!
Please visit us on Friday, February 21st, 2020 for your blood draw and to meet our Nutrition Coach, Courtney. Call 480-563-7648 to arrange an appointment between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm.