Analysis for vitamins and trace elements

Vitamins and microelements are irreplaceable organic substances for humans, which take part in all metabolic processes of cells and tissues, thus contributing to the proper functioning of organs and systems. Vitamins enter the human body with food, but there are conditions in which the level of these substances is insufficient. If this is confirmed by the analysis for vitamins, specialists prescribe mono- or multivitamin complexes for correction of the condition.

Features of vitamin and microelement balance

Unlike proteins, carbohydrates and fats, vitamins are needed in very small amounts - several hundredths of one milligram per day. It is known more than 30 organic substances, which are irreplaceable. Among them are all known vitamins of group B, A, C, D, E, K.

Reducing the amount of a certain organic matter in the human body is called hypovitaminosis. Long-term insufficiency, which causes the development of serious changes and diseases, is called avitaminosis.

The analysis of blood for vitamins is an excellent way to get detailed results on which you can assess the level of nutrients and, if necessary, carry out a correction to prevent the development of serious consequences.

The amount of certain vitamins (eg, cyanocobalamin and folic acid) is determined during the biochemical analysis of blood from the vein. Together with the vitamin level, the quantitative indicators of chemical substances (macro- and microelements) are also evaluated during the diagnosis.

Indicators of the norm of vitamins

A blood test for vitamins and trace elements can show results that are within allowed limits, but in most cases (due to environmental degradation, malnutrition, stressful situations), the level of some results is below normal.

For the human body, the quantitative indicators of vitamins are within the following limits:

• Retinol - 1.05-2.09 μmol / l;
• Thiamine - 2.1-4.3 μg / l;
• Pantothenic acid - 3.2 μg / l;
• Pyridoxine 0.3-0.5 μg / ml;
• Cyanocobalamin - 175-900 pg / l;
• Ascorbic acid 4-20 μg / ml;
• Calciferol 25-100 ng / ml;
• Tocopherol - 0.2-1.2 μg / ml.

Indicators of the norm of microelements

The content of the basic chemical elements in the blood is the following:

• Manganese 0.01-0.05 μg / g;
• Fluorine - 370 μmol / l;
• Bromine - 17 mmol / l;
• Molybdenum 0.002 μg / g;
• Iodine 0.3-10 μg / g;
• Copper - 0,7-1,5 mkg / g;
• Cobalt - 0.0005-0.005 μg / g;
• Selenium - 0,15-0,33 mkg / g;
• Zinc - 0.75-1.5 μg / ml.

Why conduct a survey

Any pathology or disease requires a diagnosis, and then the necessary treatment is prescribed. Blood - a biological fluid, the indices of which change when the pathological condition develops. It is from a blood test that any research is started.

It allows you to evaluate the following indicators:

• The level of hemoglobin, and hence the ability to saturate the cells of the body with oxygen;
• Number of formed elements (leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets);
• Presence of inflammation in the body (leukocytosis, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, change in leukocyte counts).

By results it is possible to define presence of tumors, allergic processes, an anemia, an inflammation. The specialist gets the opportunity to establish the stage and form of the disease, and therefore, to choose a therapy scheme.

The analysis for vitamins and microelements allows to determine the chemical saturation of the organism with irreplaceable substances. The values are evaluated depending on the sex and age of the patient. The analysis for vitamins is not considered an obligatory part of the diagnosis, the doctor appoints it under certain indications.

When to take an analysis

Vitamin and micronutrient deficiency is unlikely only in cases when a person adheres to the rules of healthy nutrition, goes in for sports, lives in a zone with a favorable ecological situation and has no bad habits. Such a combination in the modern world is unlikely.

The analysis on vitamins doctors recommend to hand over once a year to the following groups of the population:

• Those who live in adverse ecological zones;
• Children and adolescents;
• People over 50;
• Those who suffer from any chronic pathologies;
• During pregnancy planning;
• During lactation;
• Those who give most of their time to work and heavy physical exertion;
• People living in conditions of constant stress.

How is the research conducted

The material for determining the amount of vitamins and trace elements in the body can be blood, urine, derived skin (nails, hair). To pass analyzes on vitamins it is possible in any private laboratory and some narrowly specialized clinics. This survey is paid.

The results of quantitative indicators of the vitamin level are known already in a day, but the decoding of the chemical trace element requires 6 working days. At delivery of blood the examinee should come in the morning on an empty stomach. If the diagnostic material becomes a derivative of the skin, then before delivery is necessary to read the instructions for preparation for the fence. It can be taken in the same laboratory on the eve of the diagnosis.

Blood test for vitamin D

This method allows to determine the level of digestibility of the organism by ergo- or cholecalciferol. In parallel, the amount of parathyroid hormone is determined. The analysis for vitamin D is indicated in the following pathologies:

• Parathyroid gland diseases;
• Systemic diseases (lupus erythematosus);
• Pathology of the musculoskeletal system;
• Pancreatic and gastrointestinal diseases.

Hypervitaminosis D (the vitamin content in the blood is higher than normal) may be accompanied by weakness, dyspeptic manifestations (vomiting, diarrhea), loss of appetite, subfebrile body temperature. Hypovitaminosis is fraught with pathology of the thyroid gland, cirrhosis, kidney failure.

Determination of the level of cyanocobalamin

The analysis for vitamin B12 is administered to patients with anemia. This organic substance affects the correct maturation of red blood cells, participates in the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Before conducting the diagnosis should refuse to take medications that work on the hematopoiesis system. The result may be incorrect when taking antibacterial drugs and drinking alcohol.

Hypervitaminosis B12 is typical for tumor processes, diabetes, leukemia, chronic renal failure.

Study of the indicators of tocopherol

An analysis for determining the quantitative parameters of vitamin E should be given on an empty stomach. The level of vitamin affects the intake of the following substances and medicines:

• Finlepsin;
• "Phenobarbital";
• ethanol;
• "Phenytoin."

Hypovitaminosis of tocopherol is observed in diseases of the pancreas, enteritis, anemia, malignant neoplasms. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body as a whole and its cells from premature aging. Also, tocopherol is involved in various processes of the nervous system. Avitaminosis can lead to the development of encephalopathy, enteritis, diseases of the hematopoiesis system.

Toxic microelements

In the human body in parallel with useful and vital chemicals, there can be those that are toxic to cells and tissues and act on them disastrously. These include:

• mercury;
• arsenic;
• lead;
• nickel;
• cadmium.

Their ingestion into the blood is accompanied by strong intoxications and poisonings, which manifest dyspeptic disorders in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, visual impairment, hair loss and brittle nails, pathologies from the reproductive system.

A high level of toxic substances becomes a provoking factor for the development of malignant processes. There are a number of analyzes that determine the presence and quantitative indicators of such chemicals. Material for diagnosis are whole blood, urine, derived skin (nails, hair).

Vitamin Pathologies

Hypervitaminosis can cause disturbances in the work of body organs and systems, as well as vitamin deficiency. Excess organic substances result in the following disturbances:

1. Vitamin A - hair loss, peeling and itching of the skin, exacerbation of liver and pancreatic diseases, bleeding gums, seborrhea.
2. Vitamin D - nausea, headache, atherosclerosis, thrombotic disease, leaching of calcium from the bones and deposition in various organs, convulsions, paralysis.
3. Vitamin E, K - hypertensive crises, a violation of blood coagulability.
4. Vitamin B-series - hypertension, atherosclerosis, the violation of enzymatic processes, allergic reactions, spinal cord injury.
5. Vitamin C - increased blood pressure, violation of the heart rhythm, pathology of blood coagulability.
6. Vitamin P - development of thromboses.

Hypervitaminosis is not common, but uncontrolled intake of vitamin complexes can provoke the development of such conditions.

Conclusion

Analysis of vitamins and trace elements is not a whim of the attending physician. A complete picture of the state of the body with the definition of quantitative and qualitative indicators will allow to choose the correct treatment regimen in the presence of a disease or to maintain the quality of health at a high level for those who have no problems.