Taking the guesswork out of personalized nutrition begins with understanding your micronutrient status.

Micronutrient testing eliminates guesswork by providing insights into both your serum and cellular nutrient levels. While traditional serum tests show recent nutrient intake, they do not reveal how your body absorbs or utilizes these nutrients at the cellular level. For example, daily supplementation might elevate serum levels, while short-term dietary changes like fasting could lower them temporarily.

Serum blood tests, also known as extracellular measurements, show nutrients circulating in the blood and lymph, reflecting short-term availability. However, they don’t indicate cellular absorption or metabolic activity.

Intracellular nutrient testing, by contrast, evaluates nutrients inside your cells, offering insights into what your body is using and representing long-term nutritional status. Together, these tests provide a comprehensive view of nutrient health for truly personalized nutrition planning.

Key Nutrients Tested

Water-Soluble Vitamins: These vitamins are not stored extensively in the body and require regular replenishment. Testing identifies deficiencies impacting energy production, immunity, and nervous system function.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Stored in fat tissues and the liver, these vitamins are essential for bone health, vision, immune function, and antioxidant support. Testing ensures adequate levels while avoiding toxicity from over-supplementation.

Minerals: Minerals are involved in vital processes, including energy production, bone health, nervous system function, immune system support and protection against oxidative damage. Modern diets and environmental factors can lead to deficiencies in minerals like magnesium, zinc, or iron. These deficiencies may cause fatigue, weakened immunity, poor bone integrity, heart and muscle irregularities, and cognitive issues.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids: are equally important, as these essential fats play vital roles in health and maintaining the proper balance is crucial. Assessing omega-3 and omega-6 ratios is critical for inflammatory regulation. Excess omega-6 (common in modern diets) can promote inflammation, contributing to chronic conditions like heart disease and arthritis. Testing highlights imbalances and informs dietary changes. Low omega-3 levels are linked to cardiovascular issues, mood disorders, and inflammation. Excessive omega-6 can exacerbate these risks. Testing helps tailor interventions for heart, brain, skin, joint, and immune health by optimizing omega-3 intake and balancing omega-6 consumption.

Benefits of Comprehensive Nutrient Testing

• Optimize Supplementation: Avoid over-supplementation and ensure your body gets the right nutrients in the right amounts.

• Support Long-Term Health: Regular monitoring helps prevent chronic diseases, maintain cellular function, and promote healthy aging.

Who Should Consider Doing Micronutrient Testing?

Micronutrient testing is beneficial for anyone looking to understand their nutritional status, especially individuals with:

• Chronic conditions (autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes)

• Digestive issues (malabsorption, IBS, post-surgery)

• Unexplained symptoms (fatigue, hair loss, mood disorders)

• High-stress or intense activity (athletes, busy professionals, recovery from illness)

• Preventive health and longevity goals (anti-aging, chronic disease prevention)

• Dietary restrictions (vegans, vegetarians, elimination diets)

• Older adults (to address age-related nutrient absorption, increase prescription use

• Preconception or prenatal health (ensure optimal maternal and fetal nutrition)

• Health-conscious, proactive and curious individuals who enjoy living a healthy lifestyle

A Surprising Solution to An Everyday Health Concern with Micronutrient Testing

A few years ago, a patient came to me struggling with extreme bloating, pain, and loose stools. We started with food sensitivity testing, which typically transforms symptoms for about 80% of people. Unfortunately, she wasn’t one of the lucky ones. While addressing a tyramine sensitivity improved her pain after six weeks, the bloating and loose stools persisted.

Next, we tested for pancreatic insufficiency and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), but the results were inconclusive. We tried implementing protocols for these conditions separately over the next two months, but there was still no improvement.

Finally, we conducted micronutrient testing, which revealed several key nutrient deficiencies commonly linked to migraines. It turned out she was experiencing abdominal migraines. After addressing the deficiencies—most notably riboflavin (B2)—her symptoms significantly improved within just three weeks. This case highlighted the critical role of micronutrient balance in resolving even unexpected issues.

Final Thoughts on Micronutrient Testing

Micronutrient testing provides a powerful tool to uncover hidden deficiencies that may be impacting your health in unexpected ways. By assessing both intracellular and extracellular nutrient levels, this testing offers a comprehensive view of your nutritional status, enabling targeted interventions to optimize your well-being.

Whether you’re managing chronic conditions, addressing unexplained symptoms, enhancing athletic performance, or simply seeking to age healthfully, micronutrient testing can guide personalized nutrition strategies. It takes the guesswork out of supplementation, prevents over- or under-dosing, and supports long-term health by addressing the root causes of imbalances.

Ultimately, understanding your unique nutrient needs can lead to more effective treatments, faster symptom relief, and better overall health—helping you live a vibrant, balanced life.

Ready to jump in and get tested? Purchase your Micronutrient Test plus a 30-minute interpretation here. If you still have questions or want more comprehensive support, book an initial appointment with Dr. Donna to find the right approach for you.