Insight into your nutritional health
Poor diet can have a significant impact on your health. It can cause conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome and common chronic systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
This nutrition blood test is a comprehensive and reassuring way of assessing your current state of health and identifying common conditions based on the levels of vitamins and minerals in your blood.
Following the results of your nutrition blood test, consider optimising your health with clinical nutrition. We offer teleconsults with our experienced dietician who will work with you to develop your bespoke treatment plan. This may involve nutrition programming or therapeutic nutrition - check out our blog for more information.
What we test
Water Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. The body absorbs what it needs and then usually excretes the excess in your urine. The body needs a continuous supply through a steady daily intake. B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins which play important roles in cell metabolism, converting food into fuel and metabolising fats and proteins. They are important for the nervous system and brain function as well as a healthy liver, hair, skin and eyes, and they also strengthen the immune system.
Active vitamin B12 is the biologically active form of vitamin B12 that is essential for many physiological processes in the body, including the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and nerve function.
Found naturally in food, such as green leafy vegetables. Folate (vitamin B9) plays a role in DNA creation and is important for the production of red blood cells.
Found mainly in beef, pork, poultry, offal, whole-grains, legumes and nuts. Thiamine is crucial in certain metabolic reactions and forming adenosine triphosphate which all cells in the body need.
Pyridoxal-5-phosphate - found in meat, poultry, fish, seafood dairy, lentils, beans, carrots, spinach, bananas, brown rice and whole-grains. Helps the body make neurotransmitters to carry signals between cells. Also important for controlling homocysteine levels, brain function, hormone and red cell production and the immune system.
Found in many fruits and vegetables including oranges, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli and brussels sprouts. Crucial for growth and repair of tissues, healing wounds, healthy bones and teeth and assisting the body with collagen production and iron absorption.
Fat Soluble Vitamins
The fat soluble vitamins are soluble in lipids. These vitamins are usually absorbed in fat globules that travel through the lymphatic system of the small intestines and into the general blood circulation within the body. These fat soluble vitamins are then stored in body tissues.
Although called a vitamin, vitamin D (25-OHD) is actually a steroid hormone which is activated by sunshine on the skin. It is essential for bone strength as it helps the intestines absorb calcium.
Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin found in animal products such as eggs, dairy, liver and kidneys. Deficiency can lead to dry eyes (xerophthalmia), night blindness, skin problems, infections, diarrhoea and lung disorders.
Found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. It is important for keeping the immune system strong, for red blood cell formation and keeping the blood from clotting. Deficiency includes muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass, vision problems, anaemia and neurological problems.
Trace Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals are substances found in food that your body needs for growth and health. There are two kinds of minerals - macrominerals and trace minerals. Your body needs just small amounts of trace minerals which include iron, copper, zinc and selenium.
Found in vegetables, fish, shellfish, red meat, grains, eggs, chicken, liver, garlic, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, and enriched breads. Helps protect cells from damage, and is needed for thyroid gland function.
Found in organ meats, shellfish, chocolate, mushrooms, nuts, beans, and whole-grain cereals. Helps protect cells from damage, and is needed for forming bone and red blood cells.
Found in liver, eggs, seafood, red meats, oysters, certain seafood, milk products, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and whole grains. Needed for healthy skin, wound healing, and helps fight illnesses and infections.
A commonly cited range for the copper to zinc ratio is 0.7 and 1.0. Studies have noted that ratios above 1.0 may be associated with higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Iron Studies
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem in Australia. It slows your body’s production of haemoglobin, which your red blood cells need to pick up oxygen from your lungs and carry it to every cell in your body. If you have a shortage of iron you experience symptoms of anaemia, which include feeling breathless after little exercise, feeling tired, heart palpitations and looking pale.
An essential trace element is necessary for forming healthy red blood cells and for some enzymes.
A protein that binds iron and transports it around the body (also known as TIBC). High levels indicate iron deficiency.
Low levels typically indicate iron deficiency, and high levels can indicate iron overload.
Ferritin is a marker of iron stores in the body, and is used to assess iron status. Low levels can indicate iron deficiency, which is a common nutritional deficiency that can lead to anaemia, fatigue, and impaired immune function.
Macrominerals
Macrominerals, also known as major minerals, are essential minerals that the human body requires in relatively large amounts to maintain good health.
Calcium is important in building strong bones and teeth, but it also plays a key role in other functions including muscle contraction, nerve function, blood clotting, and enzyme function.
Corrected calcium adjusts for changes in serum albumin levels, providing a more accurate measure of the biologically active form of calcium, and is therefore a better reflection of the body's calcium status.
Magnesium and calcium work together closely to maintain strong bones, and magnesium deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Phosphate is a mineral which is essential for the formation of bones and teeth. It is also essential for many other cellular processes including energy metabolism and the formation of DNA and RNA.
Sodium is important for maintaining fluid balance in the body and for proper nerve and muscle function.
Potassium is important for nerve and muscle function, including regulating heart rhythm, and is also involved in fluid balance.
Chloride is important for maintaining fluid balance and for the proper functioning of the digestive system.
Macronutrients
There is no specific blood test for macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats because the body does not store these macronutrients in the bloodstream, but rather uses them for energy or storage in the body's tissues. However, there are blood tests that can measure various markers related to macronutrient metabolism and overall nutritional status.
If you have diabetes your body doesn't process glucose effectively.
Triglycerides are the main storage form of fatty acids in the body and a source of energy. High levels of triglycerides are associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Albumin is a protein which keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, nourishes tissues, and carries hormones, vitamins, drugs, and ions like calcium throughout the body. Low levels can indicate malnutrition or other health problems.
A measure of all of the proteins in the plasma portion of your blood. Proteins are important building blocks of all cells and tissues - they are important for body growth and health.
Test instructions
Fast from all food and drink (other than water) for at least 8 hours, and no more than 12 hours prior to your test.
Consider ceasing nutritional supplements for 3 days before the test.
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to one of our affiliated collection centres to have your sample taken.
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