An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is usually ensured by a balanced diet with normal foods.
Nevertheless, there are certain groups of people who have an increased risk of inadequate nutrient supply.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people, vegans and some competitive athletes – especially those who have to adhere to strict weight guidelines – can be affected by a nutrient deficiency.
The NUHR Nutrient Deficiency Test can help to identify individual deficiencies and take targeted action to improve health.
How does a nutrient deficiency test work?
A nutrient deficiency test is a valuable tool for detecting and treating deficiencies that can affect your health and quality of life.
Nutrient deficiencies can be specifically corrected through careful analysis and individual advice.
The NUHR Nutrient Deficiency Test typically begins with a detailed discussion with our healthcare professionals about your dietary habits and health history.
This first step helps to identify the possible causes of a nutrient deficiency and to select the right tests.
You will first be asked about your dietary habits and general health complaints.
Depending on the information obtained, specific diagnostic tests will then be recommended.
The most common method for detecting a nutrient deficiency is to take a blood sample.
Depending on the nutrient to be tested, the sample may consist of whole blood, serum or plasma.
In some cases, urine or tissue samples may also be required.
The samples taken are then analyzed in the laboratory.
After receiving the test results, we will discuss with you whether and which nutrient deficiencies have been identified.
We will also assess whether a simple adjustment to the diet is sufficient or whether supplementation with fortified foods or food supplements is necessary.
If a deficiency is diagnosed, you will receive individual recommendations on how to optimize your nutrient intake.
We provide detailed information on how you can adjust your diet to improve your nutrient intake.
Particular attention is paid to critical nutrients such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D, which should be monitored regularly to ensure optimal health.
What examination options are available?
There are various ways to determine a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
These include both the analysis of nutritional behavior and specific laboratory tests.
Survey of nutritional behavior
A first method is to systematically record what is actually eaten.
This can be done in the form of 24-hour surveys or on the basis of dietary logs over several days or weeks.
This gives an overview of food intake and can provide initial indications of possible deficits.
Observation of symptoms
Certain symptoms such as cracks in the corners of the mouth, paleness or tiredness can indicate an existing vitamin or mineral deficiency.
However, these symptoms are quite unspecific and can also have other causes, such as inflammation, infections, stress or lack of sleep.
Therefore, they alone are not sufficient to diagnose a deficiency with certainty.
Medical history and physical examination
By taking a thorough medical history, supplemented by a physical examination, we can examine various aspects of your state of health.
We pay particular attention to assessing your skin, mucous membranes, mouth and eyes as well as possible signs of nerve disorders, such as olfactory sensory disturbances.
This enables us to identify possible symptoms or signs of a nutritional deficiency and initiate further diagnostic steps if necessary.
Nutritional advice
A nutritional consultation can be a helpful first step in gaining an overview of your eating habits and nutrient consumption.
A thorough analysis of your eating and lifestyle habits can reveal potential nutrient deficiencies.
This is because nutrition experts have the necessary specialist knowledge about the composition of foods and their effects on health and can therefore determine whether you are getting the nutrients you need through your eating habits.
Laboratory tests
Laboratory tests are the most reliable method of determining whether a nutrient deficiency is present.
These tests are based on biochemical analyses that evaluate the absorption and processing of nutrients in the body.
Different biological samples such as blood (whole blood, serum, plasma), urine or tissue samples are used to determine nutrient concentrations.
There are two main types of laboratory tests for the diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies: static tests and functional tests. Static tests measure the concentration of a specific nutrient or its metabolites in the blood or urine.
By determining the exact nutrient concentration, it is possible to determine whether a deficiency is present.
Functional tests, on the other hand, examine the body’s biological response to a nutrient deficiency.
This can be done, for example, by measuring enzyme activity, which may be impaired by the deficiency.
Functional tests provide important information about the effects of a nutrient deficiency on the metabolism and physiological processes in the body.
Although functional tests usually provide more detailed insights, they are generally more complex and expensive than static tests.
For this reason, they are often only used in special cases or for complex faults.
Another way to diagnose nutrient deficiency is to examine tissue samples, such as a biopsy from the liver or muscles.
This method provides extremely accurate results, but is invasive and in most cases simply not necessary to diagnose a nutrient deficiency.
It is normally only used in cases of suspected serious illness or when other tests do not provide a clear diagnosis.
How do I find out if I have a nutrient deficiency?
To find out if you have a nutrient deficiency, you should look out for certain symptoms that can serve as early warning signs.
However, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a nutrient deficiency and are no cause for concern.
Typical signs of a possible nutrient deficiency are paleness, tiredness, feeling weak, high susceptibility to infections, muscle and joint pain, headaches, lack of concentration, nervousness as well as skin, hair and nail problems.
Further indications can be torn corners of the mouth, chapped lips and bleeding gums.
As these symptoms are not very specific and can also have various causes, you should seek medical help if you suspect a deficiency.
Our experienced team of doctors can use our nutrient deficiency test to make an accurate diagnosis and treat you accordingly.
How do I detect a nutrient deficiency?
A slight nutrient deficiency often only manifests itself through general symptoms such as a feeling of weakness or increased susceptibility to infections, which are not always immediately associated with a nutrient deficiency.
However, as soon as the nutrient balance becomes more out of balance, the body sends out visible or tangible signals that need to be interpreted correctly.
The symptoms vary depending on the missing nutrient.
For example, an iron deficiency can lead to paleness, tiredness, immunodeficiency, loss of performance, anemia, shortness of breath and heart problems.
A lack of calcium and vitamin D increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures and can also cause mood swings, tiredness and frequent infections.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread and can lead to anemia, paleness, weakness, dizziness and neurological disorders.
Older people, vegetarians, pregnant women and people with gastrointestinal disorders are particularly at risk. Folic acid deficiency impairs cell division and blood formation and increases the risk of neural tube defects in the newborn in pregnant women. Iodine deficiency often leads to hypothyroidism, which can result in fatigue, tiredness and weight gain.
A lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin)can cause cracked mouth corners, gum inflammation and, in more serious cases, vision problems and anaemia. Zinc deficiency often manifests itself in skin changes, hair loss and poor wound healing.
A selenium deficiency can lead to nail changes, joint problems and diseases of the thyroid gland and heart muscle.
However, to determine a nutrient deficiency with certainty, you should have a nutrient deficiency test carried out.
Based on a detailed medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests, this will provide information about which nutrients you are lacking.
It is also helpful if you keep a food log in which you document your diet over several days or weeks.
This also helps to identify potential deficiencies.
How good are self-tests from the Internet?
There are numerous self-tests on the internet, for example to determine your vitamin D status, where you take a drop of blood from your fingertip and send it to a laboratory.
However, these self-tests are not without their challenges.
Firstly, drawing blood requires effort and can easily be done incorrectly.
Secondly, comparisons show that the results can vary greatly between different providers.
Often the evaluations of the tests are not particularly helpful and are often accompanied by recommendations to buy supplements.
Although self-tests on the internet offer a convenient way of checking your own nutritional status, their reliability and informative value are limited.
In any case, it is better to seek medical advice and examination in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and sound recommendations.
What are the advantages of a nutrient deficiency test?
A simple blood test in the laboratory provides you with quick and precise clarity as to whether a nutrient deficiency is present.
This information enables you and your doctor to take immediate action to prevent or remedy any restrictions and consequential damage.
By specifically treating nutrient deficiencies, you can effectively improve your health.
In addition, an accurate diagnosis will help you avoid unnecessary costs and burdens that could result from an unnecessary or excessive intake of vitamins and minerals.
What does a nutrient deficiency test cost?
We will be happy to inform you in detail about the price and scope of the nutrient deficiency test.
Is a nutrient deficiency test covered by health insurance?
The question of reimbursement depends on your health insurer and the doctor’s assessment.
We recommend that you clarify in advance with your health insurance provider whether they will cover the costs.
Conclusion
The nutrient deficiency test is an important measure to clarify possible health complaints and ensure that the body is optimally supplied with all the nutrients it needs.
If deficiencies are detected early, potential consequences can be avoided and long-term health can be promoted.
At NUHR Medicalcenter, we not only offer the nutrient deficiency test, but also comprehensive advice and a detailed discussion of the test results.
Our experienced team is on hand to help you improve your nutrient intake in a targeted manner.
We strive to help you improve your quality of life and optimize your well-being.
Treatment & Therapy
In most cases, back pain is caused by wear and tear, as well as non-specific pain, the cause of which cannot be immediately identified by X-ray diagnostics or magnetic resonance imaging, but which requires a thorough clinical or physical examination. Exercise therapy is often the best remedy, as very often the complaints are due to a lack of exercise and incorrect strain.
Avoiding stress and getting away from the everyday environment and its movements can also be beneficial.
Avoiding stress and getting away from the everyday environment and its movements can also be beneficial.
The team of doctors at the NUHR Medical Center works in a multimodal and multiprofessional way and specializes in pain of all kinds, including back pain.
We not only treat the symptoms, but also get to the bottom of the cause.
Medication is only used where it is appropriate and necessary.
However, our focus is clearly on special forms of therapy that are individually tailored to each person.
We call this the NUHR Med Concept.
It is based on the three pillars of individuality, intensity and regularity of therapies.
This can be, for example, Dorn and Breuss spinal therapy or Tilscher back training.
We are also specialists in the field of arsonvalization, which involves working with electrical currents.
Kinesio taping can also stimulate the skin receptors and stabilize muscle tension.
We offer individual programs for expectant mothers.
We not only treat the symptoms, but also get to the bottom of the cause.
Medication is only used where it is appropriate and necessary.
However, our focus is clearly on special forms of therapy that are individually tailored to each person.
We call this the NUHR Med Concept.
It is based on the three pillars of individuality, intensity and regularity of therapies.
This can be, for example, Dorn and Breuss spinal therapy or Tilscher back training.
We are also specialists in the field of arsonvalization, which involves working with electrical currents.
Kinesio taping can also stimulate the skin receptors and stabilize muscle tension.
We offer individual programs for expectant mothers.
