Comprehensive Blood Elements – Blood Test
Summary
Blood elements analysis assists in determining deficiencies, excesses and imbalances of essential elements, as well as recent or ongoing exposure to many toxic elements and metals. Whole blood analysis measures total levels of elements that circulate in both extracellular fluids (serum/plasma) and in cells (red blood cells and lymphocytes). The combination of the whole blood analysis and the serum analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the status of elements.
What Does It Measure
This test measures thirteen essential and eleven toxic metals in the circulating extracellular fluid compartments and in red and white blood cells.
Whole blood analysis is an excellent test for measuring the levels of both intracellular and extracellular circulating elements. Some essential elements, such as selenium, are portioned in and have important physiological roles in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Likewise, the toxic metal lead is transported in both the fluid and cellular (red blood cells) compartments of blood. Therefore measurement of elements in both blood compartments permits a more complete evaluation of total blood element levels.
In contrast, some essential elements/electrolytes such as calcium, sodium, potassium and iron are best assessed in serum because they are transported by serum proteins, or have important functions in the extracellular compartment of blood. Also, the differential analysis of some elements, such as magnesium, in both whole blood and serum can provide important clinical information about aberrant metabolism of this extremely important element that is involved in over three hundred different intracellular reactions.
Results Can Assist in Determination of Proper Supplementation
Accurate assessment of essential element status is highly recommended for determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and excess assimilation of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects that are expressed as Parkinson’s-like disease.
Talk to your health care provider about having a Comprehensive Blood Elements test done today!
**Description courtesy of Doctor’s Data Inc