Micronutrient & Iron Panel

A comprehensive blood test assessing essential vitamins, minerals, and iron-related markers.

Micronutrient & Iron Panel

Table of contents

Basic data

This panel evaluates key micronutrient levels, including iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, and others, to detect deficiencies or imbalances that may impact energy, cognition, immunity, or long-term health.

While some nutrients are better tested via intracellular or functional markers, this blood-based panel offers a widely available and cost-effective screening option to guide dietary or supplemental interventions.

Category: Lab blood panel

Level: Intermediate

Usefulness: Medium

Level

Intermediate

Recommended for users who have already established consistent diet, sleep, and lifestyle routines, and want to fine-tune nutritional adequacy. At the intermediate level, micronutrient testing can uncover subtle gaps that influence performance, mood, or metabolic efficiency.

Usefulness

Medium

While not always necessary for beginners, this panel is valuable for identifying subclinical deficiencies or confirming whether supplementation strategies are effective.
Detect common nutritional gaps

Identifies iron, B12, or folate deficiencies — which can affect energy, cognition, and red blood cell production.

Prevent over-supplementation

Helps verify that high-dose supplements (e.g. iron, B-complex) are warranted, reducing risk of toxicity or imbalance.

How it works

Blood is drawn from a vein and sent to a laboratory, where levels of various micronutrients and iron-related markers are measured using standardized assays.
Venous blood sample collection

Typically performed after fasting. Collected into appropriate tubes for vitamin and mineral analysis.

Quantitative lab assays

Measures serum levels of nutrients such as iron, ferritin, B12, and folate. Some panels may include others (e.g. zinc, magnesium, vitamin D).

Measures

Key micronutrient and iron-related markers provide insight into oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and nutritional sufficiency.
Iron & Ferritin

Evaluate iron stores and potential for anemia or overload. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant, so context is important.

Vitamin B12 and Folate

Critical for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and neurological function.

Homocysteine (optional)

Elevated levels may indicate functional deficiency in B12, B6, or folate — associated with cardiovascular risk.

Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin D (optional)

Sometimes included in broader micronutrient panels, though best assessed individually in some cases.

Reliability

Serum levels provide a reasonable snapshot of nutrient status, but may not reflect intracellular or functional availability for all nutrients.
Reliable for iron and B12

Well-established markers with clear deficiency thresholds.

Functional gaps possible

Normal serum values don’t always rule out intracellular or enzymatic insufficiencies (e.g. magnesium, B6).

Limitations

Some limitations exist when using serum levels as the sole indicator of nutrient status.
Limited insight into functional status

Some nutrients (e.g. magnesium, zinc) may appear normal in serum despite functional deficiency in cells or tissues.

Acute phase reactivity

Ferritin and other markers can be elevated due to inflammation or infection, confounding interpretation.

Frequency

Suggested cadence

Once annually or when symptoms, diet changes, or supplementation plans indicate a need. Athletes or plant-based eaters may benefit from more frequent checks.

Cost

Typical costs

$50–150 depending on the panel’s scope and local laboratory pricing. Panels including additional vitamins or functional markers may be more expensive.

Availability

Where available

Broadly accessible via most diagnostic labs, either individually or bundled into general health panels.

Preparation

How to prepare

Fasting for 8–12 hours is typically recommended. Avoid recent high-dose supplementation before the test if assessing baseline levels.

Interpretation

Each nutrient has well-established reference ranges, but interpretation should consider symptoms, diet, and trends over time.
Iron markers

Low ferritin and iron may indicate anemia risk, while high values could signal inflammation or iron overload.

B12 and folate

Values near the lower reference limit may still warrant supplementation in symptomatic individuals.

Alternatives

Intracellular nutrient testing

More advanced panels (e.g. SpectraCell) analyze nutrient function within white blood cells — often considered more accurate but costly.

Hair mineral analysis

Popular in functional circles, but lacks robust scientific validation and consistency.

FAQ

Can I assess all nutrients with a blood test?

Not all. Some nutrients (e.g. CoQ10, vitamin K2) are not routinely tested, while others are better assessed functionally.

Should I stop supplements before this test?

Yes, if you want to understand baseline levels. Otherwise, results will reflect your current supplementation status.