Nutrient Health Test Kit

Please prepare to test first thing in the morning. Be sure to drink plenty of water before testing! Being well hydrated will help increase blood flow and improve the testing experience. 

*Note: Do not test on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday. Your sample must be picked up, dropped at a dropbox location or brought to FedEx on the same day you test. 

Iron deficiency occurs when your body does not have an adequate supply of iron. This can be troublesome as iron is used to make hemoglobin, a substance needed to enable red blood cells to carry oxygen. This deficiency is often referred to as anemia and is characterized by the following symptoms:  

• Extreme fatigue 
• Weakness 
• Pale skin 
• Fast heartbeat or shortness of breath 
• Cold hands and feet 
• Inflammation or soreness of your tongue 
• Brittle nails 
• Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances such as ice, dirt, or starch 

To reduce your risk of iron deficiency, you should consume iron rich foods including red meat, pork, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, peas. In addition to, or in place of iron rich foods, you can also take iron supplements.

When your body is deficient in vitamin D, your bones and muscles take a toll as this vitamin is essential for bone development and maintenance.  Vitamin D is needed in order for your body to use calcium and phosphorus to build bones and support healthy tissues. It also plays a role in your nervous system, your musculoskeletal system, and your immune system. Symptoms of vitamin D can look different in children compared to adults: 

Symptoms in Children:

• Incorrect growth patterns due to bowed or bent bones 

• Muscle weakness 

• Bone pain 

• Deformities in joints 

Symptoms in Adults:

• Fatigue 

• Bone pain 

• Muscle weakness, muscle aches or muscle cramps 

• Depression or mood changes 

There are several ways to curb vitamin D deficiency – most agree the best course of treatment include: sun exposure, taking supplements, and adding foods rich in vitamin D, such as: salmon, tuna, trout, beef liver, mushrooms, egg yolks, and cod liver oil into your diet. 

Magnesium deficiencies aren’t commonly discussed, but that may be attributed to the fact that it’s often underdiagnosed. The obvious signs and symptoms don’t appear until your levels are severely low so it’s important that the following are not overlooked: 

• Loss of appetite 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Fatigue and weakness 
• Shaking 
• Muscle spasms 
• Hyperexcitability 
• Abnormal heart rhythms 

This deficiency can be remedied by eating a balanced diet. A magnesium-rich diet consists of leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked as its symptoms are similar to other nutrient insufficiencies but it’s essential for energy production and central nervous system function. The ability to absorb vitamin B12 worsens with age, but children and young adults can also experience vitamin B12 deficiencies. Be on the lookout for the following B12 deficiency symptoms: 

• Weakness, tiredness, lightheadedness 
• Heart palpitations and shortness of breath 
• Pale skin 
• Smooth tongue 
• Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite 
• Numbness or tingling, muscle weakness 
• Vision loss 
• Depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes 

Similar to most deficiencies, it can be corrected by eating foods that are rich with that particular vitamin. For vitamin B12, you should add more meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs to your diet. You can also add a supplement to your daily routine. 

Folate is especially important for women who are pregnant as it aids in the growth and development of unborn babies. Your body needs folate to make new red blood cells and the genetic material in your cells (DNA), hence why it can be troublesome if expectant mothers are experiencing an insufficiency. Regardless of if you are pregnant or not, you should look out for the following symptoms of folate deficiency: 

• Extreme fatigue 
• Paleness 
• Shortness of breath 
• Irritability 
• Mouth sores or mouth ulcers 
• Reduced sense of taste 
• Memory loss 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Weakness 

Eating a well-balanced diet full of leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, beans, peas, seafood, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, and grains can help you prevent folate deficiency. If these foods aren’t a part of your everyday meals, there are also supplements available. 

Due to the dietary sources of B12, vegetarians and vegans are at a higher risk of developing vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiencies. You can find folate in peas, beans, citrus fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables whereas vitamin B12 comes from meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy products. Both deficiencies can cause fatigue, weakness, and anemia, however, severe vitamin B12 deficiency can cause complications like depression, paranoia, delusions, memory loss, incontinence and loss of taste and smell. 

Your results can be easily shared with your healthcare provider, and in fact, we encourage you to share your data in order to obtain the treatment you might need.  Contact us for a network of healthcare providers that specialize in treating nutrient deficiencies.