What is Vitamin and mineral blood test used for?
A vitamin and mineral package with vitamin D, B12, folate, iron status (ferritin, iron, transferrin and saturation), magnesium, phosphate, the electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride, and calcium. Deficiencies in iron, B12 or vitamin D can cause fatigue that is easily mistaken for low testosterone.
Parameters in Vitamin and mineral blood test (14)
- Vitamin D (25-OH)
- The best measure of vitamin D status. Important for bones and muscles.
- Vitamin B12
- Needed for nerves and blood formation. A deficiency can cause fatigue.
- Folate
- A B vitamin needed for cell division and blood formation.
- Ferritin
- The body's iron stores. It also rises with inflammation.
- Iron
- Iron in the blood at the time of sampling. Varies through the day.
- Transferrin
- The protein that transports iron in the blood.
- Transferrin saturation
- How much of the transferrin is carrying iron.
- Magnesium
- A mineral for muscles and nerves.
- Phosphate
- A mineral for bones and energy metabolism.
- Sodium
- An electrolyte that regulates fluid balance.
- Potassium
- An electrolyte important for muscles and heart rhythm.
- Chloride
- An electrolyte that follows sodium in the fluid balance.
- Calcium
- A mineral for bones, muscles and nerves.
- Free calcium
- The active, unbound part of calcium.
Preparation for Vitamin and mineral blood test
- Take the sample in the morning, ideally between 07:00 and 10:00.
- Fast for 8–12 hours beforehand; water is allowed.
- Pause supplements 1–2 days before the test.
Preparation follows the laboratory's instructions for this package. Celto
What is a venous blood test?
A venous blood test means the sample is taken from a vein, usually in the crook of the elbow. Trained staff insert a thin needle and collect the blood in small vacuum tubes; the draw itself normally takes only a few minutes. A venous sample gives the laboratory enough material to measure many markers at once with standard, quality-controlled methods.
How much blood is drawn?
A standard adult blood tube typically holds about 4–5 ml, and some tube types up to about 9 ml. The total depends on how many tubes the package needs, but even with several tubes it is a small fraction of the 470 ml taken at a normal blood donation.
Sources
Questions & answers
What is Vitamin and mineral blood test used for?
A vitamin and mineral package with vitamin D, B12, folate, iron status (ferritin, iron, transferrin and saturation), magnesium, phosphate, the electrolytes sodium, potassium and chloride, and calcium. Deficiencies in iron, B12 or vitamin D can cause fatigue that is easily mistaken for low testosterone.
How do I prepare for Vitamin and mineral blood test?
Take the sample in the morning, ideally between 07:00 and 10:00. Fast for 8–12 hours beforehand; water is allowed. Pause supplements 1–2 days before the test.
How much blood is taken for Vitamin and mineral blood test?
A standard adult blood tube typically holds about 4–5 ml, and some tube types up to about 9 ml. The total depends on how many tubes the package needs, but even with several tubes it is a small fraction of the 470 ml taken at a normal blood donation.
Do I need a referral for Vitamin and mineral blood test?
No – in Denmark no referral is needed. The package is only available in Denmark, and there you can order it through NordicTRT without a referral from your own doctor. The sample is taken as a normal venous blood test at a Celto location in Denmark.
Can the results of Vitamin and mineral blood test give a diagnosis on their own?
No. Blood values have to be interpreted together with your symptoms, medical history and sometimes repeat measurements. Results outside the reference range should be discussed with a doctor.
What does Vitamin D (25-OH) show?
The best measure of vitamin D status. Important for bones and muscles.
What does Vitamin B12 show?
Needed for nerves and blood formation. A deficiency can cause fatigue.
What does Folate show?
A B vitamin needed for cell division and blood formation.
What does Ferritin show?
The body's iron stores. It also rises with inflammation.
What does Iron show?
Iron in the blood at the time of sampling. Varies through the day.
What does Transferrin show?
The protein that transports iron in the blood.
What does Transferrin saturation show?
How much of the transferrin is carrying iron.
What does Magnesium show?
A mineral for muscles and nerves.