Blood test for home use – the examination of vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals belong to the group of micronutrients and differ from macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats because they are not primarily used to produce energy and are only needed by the body in small amounts. Nevertheless, they are crucial for the proper functioning of the body.
It is very important to ensure that these vitamins and minerals are present in sufficient concentrations in the body. Below you will find out which micronutrients are crucial and why regular check-ups are advisable.
Why are vitamins and minerals so important for the body?
vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in numerous body functions and are essential for our health. A lack of these nutrients can lead to serious illnesses. Despite their importance, many people suffer from vitamin or mineral deficiencies, often due to an unbalanced diet, an unhealthy lifestyle or environmental influences.
Blood tests for vitamins and minerals – what values can be measured?
Measuring vitamins and minerals using blood tests is a straightforward method that can be carried out conveniently from home. But which biomarkers can be determined through self-tests and when does it make sense to monitor these values regularly?
minerals and trace elements
If you have ever studied the nutritional information on food packaging, you may have noticed that a distinction is made between minerals and trace elements:
Trace elements: Although they belong to the group of minerals, they are only needed in small quantities by the body due to their low demand. However, this does not diminish their importance. An example of a trace element is iodine, which plays an important role in the formation of thyroid hormones.
Minerals: These occur in large concentrations in the body and are therefore referred to as macroelements or colloquially as minerals.
The group of minerals includes calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium and phosphate. Trace elements such as iron, iodine, copper, selenium and zinc should also be checked regularly to ensure that they are within the normal range.
vitamins
The body can produce essential vitamins either in small quantities or not at all, so it is important to get them through the diet. Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, which differ in terms of their absorption, storage and excretion:
Fat-soluble vitamins: These can be stored in the body and therefore do not need to be taken daily. They are excreted through the intestines.
Water-soluble vitamins: These can hardly or not at all be stored in the body and should therefore be continuously consumed through food. They dissolve in water and are excreted via the kidneys.
Vitamins such as D, K, B12 and folic acid can be measured quickly and easily with a blood test at home.
In which combination does the measurement of vitamins and minerals make sense?
For example, if you want to have your vitamin D3 level in your blood determined, it is advisable to also check your vitamin K2 level. Why? Vitamin D, which is actually a hormone, plays a crucial role in our health. It not only influences the normal function of our immune system, but also muscle function and bone health. Vitamin K2 is also very important, especially for the health of your bones. It activates proteins that support vitamin D - especially the effective D3 - in its tasks in bone metabolism. Therefore, it is always advisable to measure the D3 and K2 duo when it comes to the health of your bones.
A blood test for vitamins and minerals also plays an important role for your immune system. Your immune system is a highly complex system of organs, tissues and blood cells that is constantly working to protect you from damage and fight infections. In order for this to work smoothly, your body needs some essential biofactors. Magnesium plays a major role in this, as do the trace elements iron, selenium and zinc.
Which values cannot be measured by blood tests for vitamins and minerals and why?
When choosing a blood test for vitamins and minerals, you should remember that it only reflects a moment in time. Take vitamin C as an example: This water-soluble vitamin has a very short half-life of only about two hours. This means that a lab value can only reflect a very small period of time. Vitamin C is used up quickly and there are only limited stores for it in the body. The same applies to various B vitamins. Measuring these values would rather provide information about what you have eaten in the last few hours. Therefore, blood tests for vitamins are not very meaningful in most cases."
Which providers do we recommend?
- Medicross : Medicross is known for its wide range of self-tests for vitamins and minerals, among others. They offer reliable tests that help people check their micronutrient status and identify possible deficiencies.
- Cerascreen : Cerascreen is a reputable provider of health testing, including tests for vitamins and minerals. They have an impressive range of self-tests that allow customers to check their nutritional status and make health improvements.
- ForYou : ForYou is a provider that specializes in personalized health solutions. They offer customized vitamin and mineral testing to meet the individual needs of their customers. These personalized approaches allow people to target deficiencies and optimize their health.
- Lykon : Lykon is an innovative company that focuses on personalized health diagnostics. They also offer tests for vitamins and minerals.
These suppliers are on a mission to make healthcare more accessible and convenient through self-testing for vitamins and minerals. With their high-quality test kits and user-friendly platforms, they enable people to actively monitor their own health and take action to improve their wellbeing.
