Vitamin Deficiency Test: 2 Approaches to Know Your Nutritional Levels

The doctor is ready to take a blood sample.

A well-balanced and nutritious diet has many advantages. However, a diet lacking in nutrients may result in numerous unpleasant manifestations. So, if you are noticing symptoms of vitamin deficiency, you must have a vitamin deficiency test. Getting your own instrument can help you save your effort, especially if you do not have time to visit your doctor. In fact, getting quality dental care can also help determine some indications of serious nutritional concern. Keep reading to learn more about nutritional deficiency, including how to test your vitamin and mineral levels and where you can get the test.

 

Causes of Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

A balanced healthy diet generally gives your body sufficient nutrients for optimal health. However, nutritional deficiencies can occur for various reasons. Some common causes include:

  • a poorly planned vegan or vegetarian dietvitamin deficiency test
  • a diet lacking in fruit or vegetables
  • poor absorption of nutrients, for instance, if you have coeliac or Crohn’s disease
  • taking medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
  • drinking too many amounts of alcohol
  • pregnancy as your body demands additional nutrients

In addition, some medical and dental needs are very prone to nutritional deficiency. For example, when you need to replace your teeth, your dentist might suggest dentures. In that, you need to consume adequate amounts of essential nutrients. This is because denture wearers are very prone to nutritional deficiency. Hence, it is better to monitor your vitamin and mineral levels, especially if you are at high risk for deficiency or have any manifestations.

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Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies

As there is a broad scope of vitamins and minerals, the indications of a deficiency can fluctuate. However, visiting a healthcare provider, like Advanced Dental Care’s Dubbo clinic, can help diagnose any early sign of deficiency.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies:

 

Iron Deficiency

Your body needs a mineral such as iron to make red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body. In fact, if your iron level is low, this can also imply that you have a vitamin C deficiency. So, if your body does not get sufficient iron, you may feel:

  • tired
  • weak
  • dizzy
  • short of breath
  • get headaches
  • get heart palpitations

 

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D is crucial for your muscle and bone health, as well as supporting your immune system. In any case, here are common indications your vitamin D levels are low:

  • having muscle pain
  • getting sick often
  • feeling anxious or depressed
  • feeling tired
  • having weak bones, making you vulnerable to osteoporosis

You can get Vitamin D from sunlight. However, you can also get it from various food sources like oily fish, eggs, liver, and dairy.

 

Folate Deficiency

The role of the B9 vitamin or folate, also called folic acid, is to make red blood cells and repair your DNA. If your body does not consume enough folate, you may experience:

  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • shortness of breath
  • irritability
  • headaches
  • heart palpitations
  • trouble concentrating

Your body does not have storage for folate, so you can become deficient very quickly. Therefore, you can add folic acid supplements to your diet to give your body enough nutrients.

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is responsible for red blood cell production and helps your nervous system work properly. Common signs and symptoms that your body does not get enough vitamin B12:

  • getting pins and needlestaking blood sample
  • feeling extremely tired
  • getting mouth ulcers
  • having blurry vision
  • feeling depressed
  • having troubling remembering things
  • having a swollen and sore tongue

The most widely recognized reason for vitamin B12 deficiency is an absence of a stomach protein known as an intrinsic factor that your body needs to absorb vitamin B12. Medications, such as PPIs, can influence the level of intrinsic factors that you produce. In fact, your body may likewise create less once you are more than 50 years. In addition, vegetarians and vegans are also in danger of vitamin B12 deficiency since this vitamin is not usually found in plant-based foods.

 

How to Test Your Vitamin and Mineral Levels

Most mineral and vitamin deficiencies can be determined using a blood sample. Getting a health checkup can also help distinguish some indications of deficiency. You can visit this website to get the correct diagnosis for your condition. In any case, getting one of the following tests can help identify your nutritional levels.

  • Venous blood test. To get a blood sample, a trained specialist will use a needle to puncture a vein, generally in your arm.
  • Finger-prick blood test. You can prick your own finger using a lancet to get a small blood sample.

 

Where to Get a Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency Test

Generally, most hospitals and clinics offer blood tests that can be performed by a trained nurse or doctor. Checking your eyes by a specialist can also help to know your nutritional deficiency. For that, you can click this link to book your appointment. In addition, it is also possible for you to take your own blood sample by ordering home vitamin and mineral test kits online. This blood test usually has a lancet that you will use to prick your finger to get a blood sample. After that, the result will be checked by a doctor and are accessible for you to see online.

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Conclusion

Most individuals can get the nutrients they need from diet alone. So if you think you have some vitamin deficiencies, a good approach is to check your blood levels using a blood test. If the result shows you are low in a particular nutrient, you can increase your intake of foods rich in the nutrient you need. However, taking supplements is most undoubtedly essential in some cases. Always consult your doctor to get the right supplements to improve your health.

 

References:

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs).

https://www.medicinenet.com/proton-pump_inhibitors/article.htm

Vitamin C Deficiency.

https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency-dependency-and-toxicity/vitamin-c-deficiency

Blood Basics.

https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-basics

Author: b5supp

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