Micronutrient Analysis
Analysis and targeted care interventions for micronutrient absorption and intracellular uptake
%
Estimated portion of adults with Vitamin D deficiency in the US
%
Percentage of US population that did not meet the daily standard for Magnesium intake
About Micronutrient Analysis
Nutritional guidelines have been captured by the interests of large food and pharmaceutical companies through lobbying and funding research. For example, the estimated 42% of adults with Vitamin D deficiency is, in all likelihood, far greater because the guidelines are inadequate. Same goes for Magnesium intake, which must be adjusted based on an individual’s health status. The same goes for many other micronutrients, such as Iodine, Iron, and dozens of others.
At the same time, it isn’t always enough to just consume more of these micronutrients. Due to a patient’s health status, they may not be getting the micronutrients intracellularly. This can be due to cellular membrane transport issues, digestion issues, and other reasons. Micronutrient analysis helps to determine if patients are not only deficient in their overall uptake of 31 essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, but also their functional status. In other words, are the nutrients getting where they need to be, in the cells?
Here is a list of conditions and situations for which a patient may want to consider micronutrient analysis:
- Any Chronic Disease
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Metabolic Disorders
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Athletes and Individuals Who Are Highly Physically Active
- Elderly Individuals
- Individuals Following Restrictive Diets
- Individuals With Decreased Caloric Intake
Read on to learn more about our Micronutrient Analysis and treatment program, costs, etc…
Testing & Treatment
Intracellular micronutrient analysis is conducted via blood samples. Our lab orders are conducted through RUPA, who sends a kit in the mail to the home of our patients. Patients follow RUPA’s testing directions for stopping certain medications (discuss with provider), obtaining samples, and return mailing for sample analysis. The result interpretations guide the treatment plans that patients undergo to improve intracellular nutritional markers, and alleviate symptoms and conditions experienced due to any deficiencies. Plans are customized to the individuals needs.
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Program Information
After registering for treatment, patients are contacted by our office staff, who triage patients based upon a description of their needs. In this case, patients would be identified for Micronutrient Analysis, pay the fee for the initial appointments, and then are sent an email from RUPA for ordering the testing. Once patients put their testing samples in the return mail to the lab, they should contact the office staff again to schedule their initial hour long consult. In addition to an hour long consult, patients will also have a 30 minute followup to be used at some time in the future (based upon an agreed upon timeline with the provider) to determine how treatment is working. Future testing may be ordered. After these initial two appointments, patients may continue to follow up with the provider, paying for appointment on an as-needed basis
Pricing
The initial two visits (1 hour-long appointment and 1 30-minute followup) are $975, paid at the time the testing is ordered. Once paid, patients are sent the lab order via RUPA. Micronutrient testing itself is a separate cost paid through RUPA for a SpectraCell Laboratories Micronutrient Test. The cost of this test is subject to change based, but currently is listed at $339.
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To become a patient of Leading Edge Clinic, you must first register. Registration does not require a monetary commitment, and allows us to reach out to interested patients who may have questions about our care model, treatment modalities, etc…
Operating under the legal framework of the First Nations Medical Board allows us to see patients in all 50 states. More information about the First Nations Medical Board can be found under the “General Practice” section of our FAQ page
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the results of the testing?
Quick Answer: SpectraCell’s Micronutrient Test measures 31 essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and metabolites at the intracellular level (inside your cells) — revealing functional nutrient deficiencies that standard blood tests miss. This identifies why you’re fatigued, why your immune system is weak, or why chronic illness persists despite “normal” labs.
Why Micronutrient Testing Matters:
Standard blood tests measure nutrients in your bloodstream — not inside your cells where they’re actually used.
You can have:
- “Normal” serum vitamin D (in blood)
- Deficient intracellular vitamin D (in cells)
- Result: Symptoms of deficiency despite “normal” labs
SpectraCell tests intracellular nutrients — the most accurate measure of functional status.
What We Test:
SpectraCell’s Micronutrient Test includes 31 markers:
Vitamins:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
- Folate
- Biotin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K2
Minerals:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Selenium
- Chromium
- Manganese
Amino Acids:
- Asparagine
- Glutamine
- Serine
Antioxidants:
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- Cysteine
- Glutathione
- Vitamin E (as antioxidant)
Metabolites:
- Carnitine
- Choline
- Inositol
- Oleic Acid
Plus:
- Total Antioxidant Function (SPECTROX®) — measures overall antioxidant capacity
- Immunidex® Score — measures immune system function
How SpectraCell Testing Is Different:
Standard Blood Testing:
- Measures nutrients floating in blood (extracellular)
- Reflects recent intake (what you ate yesterday)
- Doesn’t correlate well with symptoms
SpectraCell Intracellular Testing:
- Measures nutrients inside white blood cells (intracellular)
- Reflects long-term nutritional status (4-6 months)
- Correlates directly with functional deficiency and symptoms
Example:
- Serum magnesium: Normal (most people’s serum magnesium is normal)
- Intracellular magnesium: Deficient (true functional deficiency)
- Symptoms: Muscle cramps, insomnia, anxiety, arrhythmias
- Standard test: “You’re fine”
- SpectraCell test: “You’re deficient — here’s why you have symptoms”
SpectraCell reveals the truth.
Common Nutrient Deficiencies We Identify:
Vitamin D Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Fatigue, weakened immunity, depression, bone pain, autoimmune disease
- Causes: Inadequate sun exposure, gut malabsorption, chronic illness
- Note: Very common, even in people with “normal” serum levels
B Vitamin Deficiencies (B12, Folate, B6):
- Symptoms: Fatigue, brain fog, depression, neuropathy, anemia, poor methylation
- Causes: Gut dysfunction, vegetarian/vegan diet (B12), MTHFR genetic variants (folate), chronic stress
Magnesium Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Muscle cramps, insomnia, anxiety, migraines, arrhythmias, constipation
- Causes: Poor diet, chronic stress, medications (PPIs, diuretics), gut dysfunction
- Note: 50% of Americans are deficient
Zinc Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Weakened immunity, hair loss, poor wound healing, loss of taste/smell, acne
- Causes: Inadequate intake, gut dysfunction, chronic illness
CoQ10 Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Fatigue, muscle pain, poor exercise recovery, cardiovascular issues
- Causes: Aging, statin medications (deplete CoQ10), chronic illness, mitochondrial dysfunction
Glutathione Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Poor detoxification, oxidative stress, chronic illness, weakened immunity
- Causes: Chronic inflammation, toxic exposure, chronic illness, nutrient deficiencies (NAC precursor)
Vitamin C Deficiency:
- Symptoms: Weakened immunity, slow wound healing, fatigue, bruising
- Causes: Inadequate intake, chronic stress (depletes vitamin C), smoking
Iron Deficiency (Measured via Other Tests, Not SpectraCell):
- Note: SpectraCell doesn’t test iron directly, but often low B vitamins coexist with iron deficiency
Who Should Consider Micronutrient Testing:
You’re an Excellent Candidate If:
1. You Have Unexplained Fatigue
- Despite adequate sleep
- Labs “normal”
- Energy never improves
Nutrient deficiencies are often the cause — especially B12, magnesium, vitamin D, CoQ10.
2. You Have Chronic Illness
- Long Covid or Post-Vaccine Syndrome
- Autoimmune disease
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / ME/CFS
- Fibromyalgia
- MCAS
Chronic illness depletes nutrients — and deficiencies perpetuate illness.
3. You Have Weakened Immunity
- Frequent infections
- Slow healing
- Recurrent illness
Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, glutathione deficiencies weaken immunity.
4. You Have Neurological or Mental Health Symptoms
- Depression or anxiety
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Neuropathy (tingling, numbness)
- Tremors
B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D affect brain function.
5. You Have Gut Dysfunction
- IBS, Crohn’s, celiac disease
- History of gut infections
- Malabsorption
Gut dysfunction = nutrient malabsorption = deficiencies.
6. You’re on Medications That Deplete Nutrients
- Statins → deplete CoQ10
- PPIs (Prilosec, Nexium) → deplete B12, magnesium
- Metformin → depletes B12
- Birth control pills → deplete B6, folate, magnesium
- Diuretics → deplete magnesium, potassium
7. You Eat a Restrictive Diet
- Vegetarian or vegan (B12, iron, zinc deficiencies common)
- Carnivore or keto (vitamin C, folate may be low if not eating organ meats)
- Elimination diets (can create deficiencies if not balanced)
8. You’re an Athlete or High-Performer
- Training depletes nutrients
- Want to optimize performance and recovery
Micronutrient optimization enhances performance.
9. You Want Preventive Health Optimization
- Proactive approach to health
- Prevent chronic disease
- Longevity and anti-aging
Nutrient sufficiency is foundational to long-term health.
What Happens After Testing:
Step 1: Results Review
Your provider interprets results in context of:
- Your symptoms
- Your health conditions
- Your diet and lifestyle
- Your medications
Step 2: Personalized Supplementation Plan
For each deficiency, we recommend:
- Specific nutrient and dose
- Form (e.g., methylfolate vs. folic acid, methylcobalamin vs. cyanocobalamin)
- Duration (retest in 3-6 months)
Example:
- Deficiency: Vitamin D, magnesium, B12
- Plan:
- Vitamin D3: 5,000 IU daily
- Magnesium glycinate: 400mg daily
- Methylcobalamin (B12): 1,000mcg daily
- Retest: 3 months
Step 3: Root Cause Investigation
We ask: WHY are you deficient?
- Poor diet?
- Gut malabsorption?
- Chronic stress?
- Medications?
- Genetic factors?
Addressing root causes prevents recurrence.
Step 4: Dietary and Lifestyle Optimization
Food-first approach:
- Recommend nutrient-dense foods to address deficiencies
- Optimize diet for long-term sufficiency
- Supplements are temporary support, not lifelong dependency
Step 5: Retest
- Retest micronutrients in 3-6 months
- Confirm deficiencies corrected
- Adjust supplementation as needed
Cost:
Out-of-Pocket (Insurance Rarely Covers):
- SpectraCell Micronutrient Test: $300-400
This is an investment in identifying root causes of fatigue, weakened immunity, and chronic illness.
Bottom Line:
Micronutrients are the foundation of cellular function.
Deficiencies cause:
- Fatigue
- Weakened immunity
- Poor mental health
- Chronic illness susceptibility
- Accelerated aging
Standard blood tests miss functional deficiencies — SpectraCell reveals them.
When should I consider micronutrient analysis?
Quick Answer: Consider micronutrient testing if you have unexplained fatigue, weakened immunity, chronic illness, neurological symptoms, gut dysfunction, or if you’re on medications that deplete nutrients. Testing is especially valuable if standard labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel well.
You’re an Excellent Candidate If:
1. You Have Unexplained Fatigue Despite Normal Labs
Your doctor says:
- “Your thyroid is fine”
- “Your CBC is normal”
- “Maybe you’re just stressed”
But you’re still exhausted.
Nutrient deficiencies often cause fatigue:
- B12 deficiency → profound fatigue, brain fog
- Vitamin D deficiency → fatigue, muscle weakness
- Magnesium deficiency → fatigue, muscle cramps
- CoQ10 deficiency → mitochondrial dysfunction, low energy
- Iron deficiency → anemia (if severe), fatigue
Micronutrient testing reveals the cause.
2. You Have Chronic Illness
Long Covid, Post-Vaccine Syndrome, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease:
These conditions deplete nutrients rapidly:
- Inflammation increases nutrient demand
- Oxidative stress depletes antioxidants (glutathione, vitamin C, CoQ10)
- Immune activation uses zinc, vitamin D, selenium
- Mitochondrial dysfunction depletes B vitamins, CoQ10, carnitine
Chronic illness = nutrient deficiency — replenishing them aids recovery.
3. You Have Weakened Immunity (Frequent Infections)
If you’re constantly sick:
- Colds, flu, sinus infections
- Slow wound healing
- Recurrent infections (UTIs, yeast infections, respiratory infections)
Immune function depends on nutrients:
- Vitamin D (immune regulation)
- Zinc (immune cell function)
- Vitamin C (antioxidant, immune support)
- Selenium (immune function, antiviral)
- Glutathione (detoxification, immune support)
Testing identifies which nutrients your immune system lacks.
4. You Have Gut Dysfunction (Malabsorption)
If you have:
- IBS, Crohn’s, celiac disease, SIBO
- History of gut infections or parasites
- Chronic diarrhea
- Previous gut surgery
Gut dysfunction = nutrient malabsorption.
Even with good diet, you may not be absorbing nutrients — testing confirms this.
5. You’re on Medications That Deplete Nutrients
Common medication-nutrient depletions:
- Statins → CoQ10 (causes muscle pain, fatigue)
- PPIs (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid) → B12, magnesium, calcium
- Metformin → B12, folate
- Birth control pills → B6, folate, magnesium, zinc
- Diuretics → Magnesium, potassium, zinc
- Antibiotics → Deplete gut bacteria (affects B vitamin production)
If you’re on any of these long-term, test micronutrients.
6. You Have Neurological or Mental Health Symptoms
Depression, anxiety, brain fog, memory issues, neuropathy:
Nutrient deficiencies affect brain function:
- B12 deficiency → neuropathy, depression, cognitive decline
- Folate deficiency → depression, poor methylation
- Magnesium deficiency → anxiety, migraines, insomnia
- Vitamin D deficiency → depression, cognitive decline
- Omega-3 deficiency (not measured by SpectraCell, but often coexists)
Addressing deficiencies often improves mental health — without medication.
7. You Eat a Restrictive Diet
Vegetarian or Vegan:
- B12 deficiency (only found in animal products)
- Iron deficiency (plant iron poorly absorbed)
- Zinc deficiency
- Omega-3 deficiency (if not supplementing)
Carnivore or Keto:
- Vitamin C deficiency (if not eating organ meats)
- Folate deficiency (if not eating liver)
Elimination Diets (Low-FODMAP, AIP, etc.):
- Can create deficiencies if not balanced
Testing ensures your diet isn’t creating deficiencies.
8. You’re an Athlete or High-Performer
Training increases nutrient demand:
- B vitamins (energy production)
- Magnesium (muscle function, recovery)
- CoQ10 (mitochondrial energy)
- Antioxidants (combat oxidative stress from exercise)
- Carnitine (fat metabolism)
Nutrient deficiencies limit performance and recovery.
Testing optimizes training and prevents burnout.
9. You Have Cardiovascular Issues
Hypertension, arrhythmias, heart disease:
Nutrients critical for cardiovascular health:
- Magnesium (regulates heart rhythm, blood pressure)
- CoQ10 (heart muscle energy, especially if on statins)
- Vitamin K2 (prevents arterial calcification)
- Folate, B12 (lower homocysteine, reduce heart disease risk)
10. You Have Skin, Hair, or Nail Issues
Hair loss, brittle nails, acne, eczema, poor wound healing:
Nutrient deficiencies affect skin/hair/nails:
- Biotin deficiency → hair loss, brittle nails
- Zinc deficiency → hair loss, acne, poor wound healing
- Vitamin A deficiency → dry skin
- Vitamin C deficiency → poor collagen production, bruising
11. You Have Autoimmune Disease
Hashimoto’s, RA, lupus, MS, etc.:
Autoimmune disease:
- Increases inflammation (depletes antioxidants)
- Affects nutrient absorption (especially gut-related autoimmune like celiac, Crohn’s)
- Often coexists with vitamin D deficiency (low D increases autoimmune risk)
Testing and correcting deficiencies supports immune regulation.
12. You’re Trying to Get Pregnant or Are Pregnant
Folate, B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc are critical for:
- Fetal development
- Preventing neural tube defects
- Healthy pregnancy
Testing before or during pregnancy ensures adequate nutrient status.
13. You’re Aging and Want to Prevent Decline
Aging increases risk of deficiencies:
- B12 absorption decreases (stomach acid declines)
- Vitamin D synthesis decreases
- CoQ10 production decreases
- Antioxidant capacity decreases
Proactive testing supports healthy aging and longevity.
When NOT to Test (Probably):
You likely don’t need micronutrient testing if:
- You’re young, healthy, symptom-free
- You eat a varied, nutrient-dense diet
- You have no chronic health conditions
- You’re not on medications
- You have no symptoms
Testing is for identifying deficiencies when something is wrong — or for optimization in high-performers.
Bottom Line:
Consider micronutrient testing if:
- You have unexplained symptoms (fatigue, weakness, mood issues, poor immunity)
- You have chronic illness
- You’re on medications that deplete nutrients
- You eat a restrictive diet
- Standard labs are “normal” but you don’t feel normal
Micronutrient deficiencies are common, underdiagnosed, and highly treatable — but you have to test to know what you’re dealing with.
Additional Nutrition Analysis Resources
Learn More About India Scott
Learn more about our provider delivering Nutritional Analysis and Treatment Plans
Sample Test Results
Read a sample test result to get an idea of what information will be provided about the current state of your neurotransmitters
Testing Instructions
Read more about how testing is conducted in order to obtain a viable sample for your results
What Is Micronutrient Testing?
This article looks at the importance and benefits of good intracellular nutritional status
