Ulta Lab Tests

All Vitamin and Minerals Tests

All Vitamin and Mineral Tests gathers the most important micronutrient labs in one place so you can check your nutritional status, rule out deficiencies or excesses, and monitor trends over time. Vitamins and minerals influence energy, immunity, red-blood-cell production, bones and muscles, nerves, skin and hair, and heart health. Because symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, or cramps can have many causes, a stepwise lab approach helps you and your clinician identify what’s truly driving them.

Most people start with core nutrient markers (iron studies with ferritin, vitamin B12 with confirmatory MMA, folate, and vitamin D), then add electrolyte minerals (calcium, magnesium), and trace elements (zinc, copper, selenium, iodine) based on history and risk. These labs support screening, diagnostic triage, and monitoring, but they do notreplace a clinician’s evaluation, imaging, or emergency care when warning signs appear.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

  • Energy & blood-health clues: fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath on exertion, dizziness, brittle nails (iron, B12, folate)

  • Neurologic & cognitive: tingling/numbness, balance changes, memory issues, mood changes (B12, copper)

  • Bone & muscle: bone pain, frequent fractures, muscle cramps, weakness (vitamin D, calcium, magnesium)

  • Skin, hair, and taste: hair thinning, dry skin, poor wound healing, reduced taste/smell (zinc, vitamin A)

  • Thyroid & metabolism context: dietary iodine extremes; selenium for thyroid enzyme support

  • Digestive & absorption risks: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery, chronic diarrhea, low stomach acid, metformin or acid-suppressing meds (B12/iron)

  • Life stages: pregnancy and lactation (iron, folate, iodine), growth spurts, aging adults, vegetarian/vegan diets

  • Seek urgent care now: chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, black/bloody stools, severe weakness, confusion, or rapidly worsening neurologic symptoms
    All symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified clinician.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

  • Detect deficiencies or excesses early—even when symptoms are vague or absent

  • Differentiate look-alikes (e.g., iron deficiency vs. anemia of inflammation; B12 vs. folate issues)

  • Guide monitoring after diet changes, procedures affecting absorption, or clinician-directed supplementation

What testing cannot do

  • Diagnose the cause of a deficiency by itself (diet, absorption, blood loss, or medicines may be involved)

  • Replace imaging or procedures when structural causes are suspected

  • Provide treatment or dosing advice—review results with your clinician

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Iron Status & Anemia

    • Ferritin: iron stores (low in iron deficiency; can rise with inflammation)

    • Iron, TIBC, Transferrin Saturation: circulating iron and transport capacity

    • CBC (hemoglobin, MCV): anemia pattern and red-cell size

  • Vitamin B12 & Folate

    • Vitamin B12 + MMA (± Homocysteine): MMA rises when B12 is functionally low

    • Folate (± RBC Folate): folate status; RBC folate reflects longer-term intake

  • Vitamin D & Bone-Mineral

    • 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D: primary status marker

    • Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium (± PTH): bone/mineral balance; consider RBC Mg when clinically indicated

  • Trace Elements

    • Zinc: immune/skin/taste; low with poor intake or losses

    • Copper (± Ceruloplasmin): neurologic and blood-health context; balance with zinc

    • Selenium: antioxidant/thyroid enzyme cofactor

    • Iodine (urine): reflects recent intake; consider in pregnancy planning or extreme diets

  • Context Markers

    • CRP/ESR: inflammation that can mask iron deficiency (ferritin false-normal/high)

    • CMP: liver/kidney function affecting nutrient transport or activation

Preparation notes: some labs ask you to avoid supplements for 24 hours before the draw (especially zinc/biotin) and to avoid vigorous exercise or alcohol beforehand. High-dose biotin may interfere with certain immunoassays; follow any hold instructions from your clinician.

Quick Build Guide

Goal / Scenario Start with Add if needed
General wellness baseline Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • CBC • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D • Magnesium • Calcium Zinc • Copper • Selenium
Fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • CBC • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate TSH (if thyroid concern) • Zinc
Bone or muscle symptoms 25-OH Vitamin D • Calcium • Magnesium • Phosphorus PTH (clinician-directed) • CK if muscle injury suspected
Neuropathy/brain fog Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate Copper • TSH per history
Malabsorption/bariatric/IBD/celiac CBC • Ferritin/Iron/TIBC • B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D Zinc • Copper • Selenium • Magnesium • CRP
Pregnancy/preconception CBC • Ferritin • Folate • Vitamin B12 Urine iodine(clinician-directed) • Vitamin D
Vegan/vegetarian diets Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Iron panel • Ferritin • 25-OH Vitamin D Zinc • Selenium

How the Testing Process Works

  1. Choose your starting bundle based on your goals using the Quick Build Guide.

  2. Prepare for accuracy: unless instructed, fasting is not required. Avoid high-dose supplements (especially biotinand zinc) for 24 hours before the draw if advised.

  3. Provide samples: most tests use a blood draw; select tests use urine (e.g., iodine).

  4. Access results securely: most panels post within a few days.

  5. Plan next steps: review results with your clinician to determine causes (diet, absorption, losses) and to set a monitoring cadence.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Low ferritin + low transferrin saturation → iron deficiency pattern; correlate with CBC and sources of blood loss or malabsorption.

  • Normal/high ferritin with inflammation (elevated CRP/ESR) → ferritin may be falsely reassuring; look at transferrin saturation and context.

  • Low B12 or high MMA → functional B12 deficiency; consider diet, absorption (e.g., metformin, low stomach acid), and symptoms.

  • Low 25-OH vitamin D → bone/muscle pain or weakness risk; values trend with season and intake.

  • Abnormal calcium/magnesium → evaluate medications, kidney function, and PTH (clinician-directed).

  • Low zinc or copper → check for imbalanced supplementation or GI losses.
    Always interpret with a qualified healthcare professional; trends and clinical context matter more than one value.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Core nutrient panel: Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • CBC • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D • Magnesium • Calcium

  • Trace-element add-ons: Zinc • Copper (± Ceruloplasmin) • Selenium • Urine Iodine

  • Bone-mineral depth (clinician-directed): PTH • Phosphorus
    Use bundled panels for efficient screening, then add individual markers to answer targeted questions and monitor progress.

FAQs

Do I need to fast for vitamin/mineral labs?
Usually no. Follow any instructions on your order; some trace elements request a morning, non-supplemented sample.

Should I stop my vitamins before testing?
If advised, avoid high-dose supplements (especially biotin or zinc) for 24 hours before the draw to prevent transient spikes or assay interference.

Can inflammation hide iron deficiency?
Yes. Ferritin can look normal/high during inflammation. Pair with transferrin saturation and consider CRP/ESR.

What’s the best test for B12 status?
B12 with MMA improves accuracy; MMA rises when B12 is functionally low.

Is RBC magnesium better than serum magnesium?
Serum magnesium is most common; RBC magnesium may be used in select cases—your clinician will advise.

Do vegans/vegetarians need different tests?
Often B12 ± MMA, iron/ferritin, vitamin D, and sometimes zinc/selenium are helpful.

How often should I recheck?
Commonly 8–12 weeks after changes (diet, surgery, supplementation), then as advised by your clinician.

Related Test Categories & Key Tests

  • Nutrition Tests Hub

  • Micronutrient Testing • Metabolism Tests • Malabsorption Tests • Celiac Disease • Anemia & Blood Count • Bone & Joint (Osteoporosis)

  • Key Tests: Ferritin • Iron • TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Vitamin B12 • Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) • Folate • 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D • Calcium • Magnesium • Phosphorus • Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) • Zinc • Copper • Ceruloplasmin • Selenium • Urine Iodine • CRP • ESR • CMP

References

  • NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folate, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium fact sheets.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Iron deficiency and anemia resources.
  • American Society of Hematology — Evaluation of anemia guidelines.
  • Endocrine Society — Vitamin D testing and interpretation guidance.
  • American College of Gastroenterology — Guidelines on celiac disease and malabsorption.
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — Micronutrient assessment in special diets.
  • AACC (American Association for Clinical Chemistry) — Best practices for nutrient and trace-element testing.

Available Tests & Panels

Your All Vitamin and Mineral Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a core nutrient panel (iron studies with ferritin, B12 ± MMA, folate, vitamin D, magnesium, calcium), then use filters to add trace elements (zinc, copper, selenium, urine iodine) or bone-mineral markers (phosphorus, PTH) as needed. Follow any preparation guidance and review results with your clinician to confirm causes and set a monitoring plan.

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The Prothrombin Time with INR Test measures how long it takes blood to clot and calculates the international normalized ratio (INR) for accuracy. It is commonly used to monitor patients on blood-thinning medications like warfarin and to evaluate bleeding disorders, liver disease, or vitamin K deficiency. Doctors order this test to investigate easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, or prolonged bleeding and to ensure safe and effective anticoagulant therapy.

Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: PT with INR Test
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The PTH Intact Test measures intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in blood to evaluate parathyroid gland function and calcium balance. Abnormal PTH may indicate hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, kidney disease, or vitamin D imbalance. Doctors use this test to investigate osteoporosis, kidney stones, or unexplained calcium abnormalities. Results provide vital insight into endocrine function, bone metabolism, and overall calcium regulation.

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Also Known As: Parathyroid Hormone Intact test, Intact PTH test, Parathormone Test
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The QuestAssureD™ Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Total Test for Infants measures total vitamin D levels to evaluate bone health, calcium balance, and overall growth. Adequate vitamin D is essential for skeletal development, immune function, and preventing rickets. Physicians use this test to identify deficiency, monitor supplementation, and ensure infants receive the nutrients needed for proper development and long-term health.

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The Selenium Micronutrient Blood Test measures selenium levels in the blood to assess nutritional status and detect deficiencies or excess. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that supports thyroid function, immune defense, and protection against oxidative stress. This test helps identify dietary insufficiency, malabsorption, or toxicity, supporting diagnosis and management of overall health and wellness.

Patient must be 18 years of age or older.
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The Selenium Test measures selenium levels in blood to evaluate nutritional status and overall health. Selenium is essential for thyroid function, antioxidant defense, and immune support. Low levels may cause fatigue, muscle weakness, thyroid problems, or impaired immunity, while high levels may indicate toxicity. Doctors use this test to monitor nutrition, supplementation, or suspected deficiency. Results provide key insight into metabolic health and antioxidant balance.

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The Selenium RBC Test measures selenium levels inside red blood cells, providing a more accurate reflection of long-term selenium status than serum testing. Selenium is essential for antioxidant defense, thyroid function, and immune health. Abnormal results may indicate deficiency linked to fatigue, thyroid disorders, or poor immunity, or excess from supplementation. Doctors use this test to evaluate nutritional balance, guide treatment, and monitor metabolic health.

Blood
Blood Draw
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The Sodium Test measures sodium levels in the blood, an electrolyte essential for fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle activity. Abnormal sodium may indicate dehydration, kidney disease, adrenal disorders, or heart failure. Doctors use this test to investigate symptoms like confusion, weakness, or swelling and to monitor patients with chronic illnesses, diuretic use, or intravenous therapy, ensuring proper electrolyte and metabolic health.

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Also Known As: Na Test, Sodium Serum Test
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The Transferrin Test measures transferrin, a blood protein that transports iron, to evaluate iron status and nutritional health. High levels may suggest iron deficiency anemia, while low levels may indicate liver disease, malnutrition, or chronic illness. Doctors use this test alongside iron and TIBC to investigate fatigue, weakness, or anemia symptoms. Results provide vital insight into iron balance, red blood cell production, and overall metabolic function.

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The Very Long Chain Fatty Acids (VLCFA) Test measures C22:0, C24:0, C26:0 and ratios (C24/C22, C26/C22), with phytanic and pristanic acids, by GC/MS to assess peroxisomal function. Abnormal VLCFAs support evaluation of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and Zellweger spectrum disorders, informing diagnosis of peroxisomal and neuro-metabolic disease in the right clinical context.

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The Zinc Micronutrient Test measures blood zinc levels to evaluate nutritional status and detect deficiencies or excess. Zinc is vital for immune function, wound healing, growth, reproduction, and enzyme activity. This test helps identify poor intake, malabsorption, or excessive supplementation, supporting diagnosis and management of overall health, immune balance, and metabolic function.

Patient must be 18 years of age or older.
Blood
Blood Draw
Also Known As: Zinc Plasma Test
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The Zinc Test measures zinc levels in blood to evaluate nutritional status and overall health. Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, growth, taste, and reproductive health. Abnormal levels may cause fatigue, hair loss, delayed healing, or increased infection risk. Doctors use this test to detect zinc deficiency or excess, monitor supplementation, and guide treatment for conditions linked to immune, metabolic, or endocrine imbalance.

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Blood Draw
Also Known As:  Zinc Plasma Test, Zn Test
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The Zinc RBC Test measures zinc levels inside red blood cells, providing a more accurate reflection of long-term zinc status than serum tests. Zinc is vital for immune defense, wound healing, growth, and enzyme function. Deficiency may cause hair loss, poor healing, or weakened immunity, while excess may be toxic. Doctors order this test to evaluate nutritional status, chronic illness, or suspected deficiency. Results guide supplementation and overall health management.

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Also Known As: Zn RBC Test, Zn Test
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Patient must be 18 years of age or older
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 A Urinalysis Screen test is a common diagnostic tool used in healthcare to assess and monitor various disorders by analyzing a patient's urine. This test encompasses a range of examinations including physical, chemical, and microscopic aspects of urine. It's a non-invasive, quick, and often revealing test that can provide significant insights into a person's health.
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Lab Tests to Help You Deal With Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

When we were kids, our elders often told us to take our vitamins, but this advice is equally important for managing the health of adults. The latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has the following to say: 

  • More than 10% of Americans, 30 million of them, have a vitamin deficiency 
  • Vitamin B6 deficiency affects 32% of adults 
  • Vitamin D deficiency affects 95% 
  • A magnesium deficiency affects 61% 

If you want to maintain your bodily health, it is essential that you go in for a vitamin and mineral test.  

It does not mean you need to pay for a costly visit to the doctor for a prescription. The services we render are fast, secure, and easy for you to get your results. 

Tests for vitamins are simple, but the challenge is to know which test you need to undertake and why. Our vitamin test guide can help you make an informed choice when picking which test or panel to order. Let's start by learning about vitamins and minerals. 

Vitamin and Mineral Tests: What are they? 

A healthy diet is one that will give you a balanced intake of both vitamins and minerals, or if you have dietary restrictions, you may need supplements. The following are the vitamins and minerals that you need: 

  • Vitamins: A, C, D, E, and K 
  • B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12 
  • Minerals: Magnesium, calcium, folate, iron, and zinc 

A sample of your blood will be used in vitamin and mineral tests so that the levels of all these minerals and vitamins can be determined. With Ulta Lab Tests, you can visit an authorized patient service center so that a phlebotomist can draw your blood, which will then be forwarded to a national laboratory for the needed tests. 

The testing begins as soon as the specimen comes to the lab, and the results will be posted in your online patient portal within a few days once the lab completes the tests. 

Benefits of this Testing 

Vitamins and minerals play a large part in our bodily functions, right from maintaining bone density to the functioning of the brain. They can also affect chronic diseases and other health conditions such as: 

  • Osteoporosis 
  • Hypertension 
  • Diabetes 
  • Heart disease 
  • Anemia 
  • Autoimmune disease 
  • Bone loss 
  • Depression 

Most people, in general, never monitor their intake of minerals and vitamins. Testing for vitamins and minerals can reveal whether you have a deficiency or are in danger of developing one. 

A deficiency in vitamins can often be an early warning sign that you will develop health issues that can become serious. Catch it early, and you can avoid conditions like anemia and diabetes. It's best to catch early signs and prevent diseases than to treat them later. 

Both in the U.S. and the rest of the world, heart disease has become the number one cause of death. You can mitigate these risk factors if you have a healthy intake of essential vitamins and minerals. 

Vitamins and Mineral Tests you can order

Ulta Lab Tests offer four test panels for vitamins and minerals: 

·      Vitamins and Minerals - Basic 

·      Vitamins and Minerals - Basic Plus 

·      Vitamins and Minerals - Advanced 

·      Vitamins and Minerals- Comprehensive 

The Vitamins and Minerals - Basic panel includes four tests and six biomarkers. This panel can detect anemia with the iron and ferritin markers included in it. It also checks for folate and magnesium levels 

The Vitamins and Minerals - Basic Plus panel comes with eight tests and 13 biomarkers. Besides testing for anemia, this panel includes tests for prealbumin, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12, which can screen for a broader range of illnesses.

The Vitamins and Minerals - Advanced panel comes with 22 tests and 115 biomarkers. This panel tests for multiple deficiencies and includes a urinalysis test that will check for infections and kidney and urinary health. 

The Vitamins and Minerals- Comprehensive panel, conducts 24 tests and 34 biomarkers, testing for a full range of more than twenty vitamins and minerals that are deemed essential. 

Your doctor will determine whether you need just a basic panel or have to order something more comprehensive. 

FAQ About Vitamin tests 

It is very easy to have a mineral and vitamin test done, and it can get you many benefits. It will allow you to take active control of matters regarding your health and also ensure that you are taking the right nutrition so that health issues can be prevented from developing. 

Even if you don't have any dietary restrictions and take plenty of supplements, vitamins, and minerals, tests can reveal deficiencies you were not aware of.

How Can a Vitamin Test Help? 

Most Americans' diets are high in salt, sugar, and fat and are not of very high nutritional value. 

Our culture is workaholic and fast-paced. It is quite normal to go in for fast food. Millions of Americans live in what can be called a food desert where there is no access to healthy food. 

A person can have developmental and health problems that do not directly point to a deficiency. The symptoms can also point to a health issue that you are already aware of. 

For example, depression is correlated with a deficiency in Vitamin D, but the symptoms like body aches and fatigue are the same. To know the underlying cause of these symptoms, a vitamin test is required. 

Vitamin deficiencies can cause other symptoms, such as: 

  • Shifts in moods 
  • Changes in personality 
  • Inability to sleep or insomnia 
  • Muscle cramps and weakness 
  • Lightheadedness and dizziness 
  • Becoming short of breath 
  • Upset digestion and nausea 

You may have access to plenty of food, but it may not be the best for vitamin intake. Vitamin deficiencies can develop even in countries that have low levels of food insecurity. 

The most prevalent deficiency is Vitamin D, and that is why testing for just Vitamin D can benefit most adults. 

What must you do if your tests reveal a deficiency? Fortunately, when your vitamin and mineral level results are low, they are easy to correct. 

Minor adjustments will have to be made to your diet, or you will need to take supplements of vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may even prescribe prescription supplements. Repeat testing in a few months will reveal the impact dietary changes and supplements made on your vitamins and minerals levels. 

If the deficiency points to serious health issues, the test for vitamins and minerals will also indicate any further tests that are specifically needed. Your intake can be healthy, but if the vitamins are not absorbed, it is an indication of a potential malabsorption problem. 

Diseases like Chron's disease or celiac disease can affect the absorption of Vitamin B12. It is necessary to understand your test results and what they indicate about your health. 

Benefits of Vitamins and Minerals tests from Ulta Lab Tests 

The tests offered by Ulta Lab Tests are very accurate and reliable so that you can make informed decisions about your nutritional health. There are many things that you will find about Ulta Lab Tests that you will like, such as: 

  • Results that are secure and confidential 
  • No health insurance is needed 
  • No physician's referrals required
  • Affordable prices
  • Guaranteed 100% satisfaction 

Order your vitamin and mineral tests to take control of your nutritional health. You will receive your results in your private online patient portal in 24 to 48 hours for most tests and 5-7 days for tests that are complicated.

Take charge of your health today with Ulta Lab Tests.