Micronutrient testing is a beneficial tool that any doctor can add to their specialty lab testing repertoire. This form of testing analyzes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants to rule out nutrient deficiencies and assess nutrient function at a cellular level. Micronutrient deficiencies are rampant throughout the American population and are known to increase the predisposition to severe chronic disease and illness. The Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell is one of the functional comprehensive nutritional analyses available for order through Rupa Health. Read more about this specialty test below.

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What is the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell?

SpectraCell's Micronutrient test measures 31 vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants to identify nutritional deficiencies. SpectraCell measures micronutrient levels within white blood cells to best assess a patient's biochemical and functional nutritional status and detect micronutrient deficiencies that adversely affect health outcomes and aging.

What Does the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell Measure?

SpectraCell measures 31 different micronutrients to reveal nutrient status, evaluate metabolic function, and help quantify oxidative stress within the body. The analytes are broken up into the following categories on the test report:

• B Vitamins: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B12, Folate, Pantothenate, Biotin
• Amino Acids and Metabolites: Serine, Glutamine, Asparagine, Choline, Inositol, Carnitine, Oleic Acid
• Other Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamin D3, Vitamin A, Vitamin K2, Manganese, Calcium, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
• Carbohydrate Metabolism: Fructose Sensitivity, Glucose-Insulin Interaction, Chromium
• Antioxidants: Glutathione, Cysteine, CoQ10, Selenium, Vitamin E, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C

When to Consider the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell

The Micronutrient Test can and should be ordered for patients who identify under the following categories:

• Individuals suffering from chronic diseases, like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, neuropathy (numbness/tingling), weakened immune system, depression, osteoporosis
• Individuals diagnosed with maldigestive conditions: Celiac disease, wheat sensitivity, IBS, IBD, SIBO
• People who have a history of restricted eating patterns or follow special diets
• Individuals with a history of chronic use of prescription medications, which can deplete nutrient levels
• Patients experiencing signs of advanced aging, like fatigue and neurocognitive decline

Macro- and micronutrient requirements change as we age, influenced by natural physiologic changes in the body, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits. Even with adopting healthy lifestyle practices, micronutrient deficiencies can develop. Micronutrient testing can help track nutrient levels and implement therapeutic interventions before deficiencies occur.

Similarly, micronutrient testing can benefit those hoping to optimize metabolic function and athletic performance to tailor diet and supplement protocols to physiologic needs.

Finally, micronutrient testing can benefit men and women hoping to conceive during the preconception period. Micronutrient status affects the quality of egg and sperm, and optimizing nutrition before conception can prepare you for a healthy pregnancy. With increased nutrient demand during pregnancy, micronutrient deficiencies are common. Micronutrient testing before and during pregnancy can prevent deficiencies of nutrients vital to maternal health and fetal development.

How to Use the Micronutrient Test from SpectraCell in Clinic

Patients should be informed of the test collection protocol to prevent delays in receiving the test results. Collection instructions can be found on the Rupa Health website. Important details include:

• This test requires a non-fasting blood draw. The blood draw must be performed by a phlebotomist on weekdays (Monday-Friday) only.

Results can be expected around two weeks after the SpectraCell lab receives the patient's test kit. Patient results are released in SpectraCell's user-friendly test results packet. The report's first page highlights deficient and borderline nutrients and suggests supplemental dosage recommendations based on the patient's levels. The report includes various graphic interpretations so doctors and patients can see how the measured analytes are involved in health and performance at the biochemical level. The last pages of the report offer additional educational information regarding the function of nutrients, symptoms of deficiency, and recommendations for nutrient optimization.

The results of this test can guide individualized nutritional recommendations through diet and supplements. Malabsorptive digestive conditions and unhealthy eating patterns should be ruled out in patients with extensive nutrient deficiencies. Tests that can be beneficial in this diagnostic process include:

• Wheat/Gluten Proteome Reactivity & Autoimmunity Profile (Array 3X) by Cyrex Labs
• GI360 Comprehensive Stool Analysis by Doctor's Data
• trio-smart SIBO Breath Test by Gimellli Biotech
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Inflammatory Markers (e.g., CRP, ESR)

Summary

SpectraCell offers its renowned Micronutrient Test, which measures the intracellular levels of 31 micronutrients to deliver a comprehensive functional nutritional analysis. Intracellular micronutrient levels can better reflect the long-term nutritional status of critical micronutrients involved in cellular health and function, affecting every body system. Micronutrient testing applies to almost every patient, whether they are hoping to reverse disease, prevent nutritional deficiencies, or optimize wellness. This panel allows for the accurate measurement of micronutrients to guide personalized dietary and supplemental guidance.