Ulta Lab Tests

Minerals

Mineral Deficiency Tests bring together the labs used to find and monitor low mineral levels that can affect energy, muscles and nerves, bones, mood, immunity, heart rhythm, and thyroid health. Because mineral symptoms overlap—fatigue, hair loss, cramps, palpitations, brittle nails—a stepwise, lab-first plan helps separate true deficiency from look-alikes such as inflammation, thyroid issues, or medication effects.

Most people begin with iron studies (ferritin, iron/TIBC, transferrin saturation), magnesium (serum ± RBC), calcium, and vitamin D for bone-mineral balance. Based on history, add zinc, copper/ceruloplasmin, selenium, and urine iodine. In select cases, 24-hour urine magnesium clarifies renal losses vs low intake. These labs support screening, diagnostic triage, and monitoring, but they do not replace a clinician’s exam, imaging, ECG, or emergency care.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

  • Energy & blood health: fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, dizziness, pale skin, brittle nails (iron)

  • Muscle & nerve: cramps, twitching, tremor, numbness/tingling, migraines (magnesium, calcium)

  • Heart rhythm: palpitations or irregular beats (magnesium, potassium—context)

  • Bone & teeth: bone pain, frequent fractures, dental changes (calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus)

  • Skin, hair, taste: hair shedding, slow wound healing, reduced taste/smell, dermatitis (zinc, copper)

  • Thyroid & metabolism: goiter, cold/heat intolerance (iodine, selenium context)

  • Higher-risk settings: heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy/lactation, vegan/vegetarian diet, celiac/IBD, bariatric surgery, chronic diarrhea, alcohol use disorder, endurance training, chronic kidney disease

  • Medication flags: proton-pump inhibitors (magnesium/B12), diuretics (magnesium/potassium), high-zinc supplements (low copper), metformin (B12), chelating agents

  • Seek urgent care now: chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, seizures, black/bloody stools, or sudden neurologic deficits

Symptoms are nonspecific and should be reviewed by a qualified clinician.

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

  • Detect deficiency or excess early—even when symptoms are vague

  • Differentiate look-alikes, e.g., iron deficiency vs anemia of inflammation; true magnesium deficit vs medication effect

  • Guide monitoring after diet, supplementation, medication changes, or procedures that affect absorption

What testing cannot do

  • Diagnose the cause of a deficiency by itself (diet, absorption, blood loss, renal wasting, and drugs all matter)

  • Replace imaging/procedures when structural causes are suspected

  • Provide dosing advice—review results with your clinician

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Iron status & anemia

    • Ferritin: iron stores; can be falsely high with inflammation.

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

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

  • Magnesium

    • Serum Magnesium: circulating level; may be normal despite deficiency.

    • RBC Magnesium: cell-associated, medium-term status; complements serum.

    • 24-Hour Urine Magnesium: distinguishes renal wasting from low intake/absorption.

  • Calcium–phosphorus–vitamin D axis

    • Calcium (total ± ionized), Phosphorus, 25-OH Vitamin D, and, when indicated, PTH for parathyroid function.

  • Zinc & copper balance

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

    • Copper ± Ceruloplasmin: blood/neurologic context; low with excess zinc or malabsorption.

  • Selenium & iodine

    • Selenium: antioxidant and thyroid enzyme cofactor.

    • Urine Iodine (spot or 24-hr): recent iodine intake; consider in pregnancy planning or extreme diets.

  • Context markers

    • CRP/ESR (inflammation can mask iron deficiency), CMP (kidney/liver function), ± B12/MMA and folatewhen neuropathy or macrocytosis appears.

Preparation notes: Fasting is usually not required. Avoid high-dose supplements (especially biotin, zinc, iodine) for 24 hours before the draw if advised. Prevent hemolysis (affects potassium/magnesium). Follow any kit-specific instructions.

Quick Build Guide

Goal / Scenario Start with Add if needed
Wellness baseline Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Serum Mg • Calcium • 25-OH Vitamin D RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper ± Ceruloplasmin • Selenium
Fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC Zinc • B12 ± MMA • Thyroid panel
Cramps, palpitations, migraines Serum Mg • RBC Mg • Calcium • CMP 24-hr Urine Mg • Potassium • Phosphorus
Bone pain or fractures Calcium • 25-OH Vitamin D • Phosphorus PTH (clinician-directed)
GI malabsorption/bariatric/IBD Ferritin/Iron/TIBC • CBC • Serum Mg • 25-OH Vitamin D RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper • Selenium • CRP
Heavy menses or pregnancy Ferritin • CBC Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • 25-OH Vitamin D • Urine Iodine (selected)
Vegan/vegetarian Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • 25-OH Vitamin D • Zinc Selenium • B12 ± MMA

How the Testing Process Works

  1. Choose your starting bundle: match the Quick Build Guide to your goals and history.

  2. Prepare for accuracy: pause high-dose supplements if advised (biotin, zinc, iodine); note medicines that affect minerals.

  3. Provide samples: standard blood draw; select tests use urine (e.g., iodine, 24-hr magnesium).

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

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

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Low ferritin + low transferrin saturation → iron deficiency; check for blood loss or malabsorption.

  • Normal/high ferritin with elevated CRP/ESR → inflammation may hide iron deficiency; rely on transferrin saturation and context.

  • Low serum with low RBC magnesium → compatible with deficiency; consider intake, GI loss, or renal wasting.

  • High 24-hr urine magnesium with low blood magnesium → renal wasting (e.g., diuretics).

  • Low calcium with high PTH → secondary hyperparathyroidism (often low vitamin D or calcium intake).

  • Low zinc or copper → assess diet and supplement balance (excess zinc can depress copper).
    Trends over time matter more than a single value; interpret with a qualified healthcare professional.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Core mineral panel: Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Serum Mg • Calcium • 25-OH Vitamin D

  • Depth options: RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper ± Ceruloplasmin • Selenium • Phosphorus • PTH • Urine Iodine • 24-hr Urine Mg • CRP/ESR • CMP
    Start with a bundled panel for efficiency, then add targeted markers to answer specific questions or monitor change.

FAQs

Do I need to fast for mineral testing?
Usually no. Some trace-element tests prefer a morning draw without same-day supplements.

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

Can inflammation hide iron deficiency?
Yes. Ferritin rises with inflammation. Pair it with transferrin saturation and consider CRP/ESR.

Is RBC magnesium better than serum magnesium?
They answer different questions. Serum shows circulating level; RBC reflects medium-term, cell-associated status. Many clinicians use both.

Can hair mineral tests replace blood tests?
Hair testing is not a standard for diagnosing deficiencies. Blood/urine tests are preferred for medical decisions.

How often should I recheck?
Commonly 8–12 weeks after diet or supplement changes, then per your clinician’s plan.

Do vegans or pregnant people need different tests?
Often yes—focus on iron/ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, and iodine (urine iodine only when clinically indicated).

Related Test Categories & Key Tests

  • All Vitamin & Mineral Tests

  • Micronutrient Testing • Fatty Acids & Omega Tests • Metabolism Tests • Thyroid Health Tests • Anemia & Blood Count

  • Key Tests: Ferritin • Iron • TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Magnesium (Serum) • Magnesium (RBC) • Magnesium (24-hr Urine) • Calcium • Phosphorus • 25-OH Vitamin D • PTH • Zinc • Copper • Ceruloplasmin • Selenium • Urine Iodine • CRP • ESR • CMP

References

  • NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Iodine, Vitamin D fact sheets.
  • American Society of Hematology — Evaluation of iron deficiency and anemia.
  • Endocrine Society — Vitamin D testing and interpretation principles.
  • AACC — Best practices for trace-element testing and biotin interference advisories.
  • American College of Gastroenterology — Malabsorption and micronutrient assessment guidance.
  • Clinical reviews on RBC vs serum magnesium and interpretation of iron indices in inflammation.

Available Tests & Panels

Your Mineral Deficiency Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a core mineral panel (iron studies with ferritin, CBC, serum magnesium, calcium, 25-OH vitamin D). Use filters to add RBC magnesium, zinc, copper/ceruloplasmin, selenium, urine iodine, phosphorus/PTH, or 24-hour urine magnesium based on your history. Follow any supplement-hold instructions and review results with your clinician to confirm causes and plan retesting.

Mineral Deficiency: Risk Factors, Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosing

We have all heard that eating a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals is essential to maintaining our health.

But, even if you're eating a balanced diet, you might be experiencing a mineral deficiency.

92% of Americans are deficient in at least one vitamin or mineral.

Here, we will answer all of your most pressing questions about mineral deficiency and how to diagnose and monitor it with a mineral blood test.

What Is Mineral Deficiency?

Minerals are necessary micronutrients for the body to function normally. These are some examples of minerals that are essential in a healthy body:

  • Calcium
  • Vitamin B12
  • Potassium
  • Iron
  • Iodine
  • Vitamin D

The majority of these micronutrients are not produced naturally by the body and are obtained through the food you eat.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is the amount of that nutrient sufficient to consume in one day.

A mineral deficiency occurs when the body is not obtaining or absorbing a sufficient amount of one or more minerals.

Mineral deficiencies can cause a number of different side effects, some of which are serious health concerns.

Iron and zinc deficiencies can lead to DNA damage and cancer.

Risk Factors for Mineral Deficiency

A deficiency occurs over time for a number of different reasons and will vary from person to person. However, there are certain risk factors that put someone at a higher risk for mineral deficiency.

Some people at risk are picky eaters, people with eating disorders, or those on a low-calorie diet. They may not be getting the wide range of different foods in their diet that is necessary to obtain sufficient nutrients.

If you have a restricted diet, like a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may also be at greater risk of mineral deficiency. Those consuming vegan and vegetarian diets are particularly at risk for calcium and iron deficiency.

Calcium is common in dairy products that vegans avoid. And red meats are a great source of iron.

Alcoholics and those with other diseases are also at increased risk of mineral deficiency.

Anyone at increased risk for a deficiency should take care to eat a balanced diet. They may benefit from supplementation with a complete vitamin and mineral. They can also monitor their health with a regular blood test for minerals deficiencies.

Causes of Mineral Deficiency

There are three main causes of mineral deficiency: 

  1. Diet
  2. Increased need for a nutrient
  3. Difficulty absorbing a nutrient

If your diet does not contain a broad array of fruits and vegetables, you may experience a mineral deficiency. Processed foods and junk foods are not great sources of essential nutrients.

Additionally, you may experience an increased need for certain nutrients during different stages of your life. For example, women often have different nutrient needs during pregnancy, heavy menstruation, and menopause.

Many medical conditions like liver disease, gallbladder disease, and chronic alcoholism can impede your body's ability to properly absorb the nutrients in your diet, resulting in a deficiency.

Some medications, like antacids, laxatives, and antibiotics, may also interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients.

Signs and Symptoms of Mineral Deficiency

The signs and symptoms will vary depending on which mineral is deficient. Generally, you should seek further testing and speak with a medical professional if you notice that you are experiencing any unordinary symptoms.

There are countless different minerals in which someone might be experiencing a deficiency. Here are some of the most common mineral deficiencies and their symptoms.

Zinc

Zinc is a critical nutrient in keeping the immune system functioning and also helps with healing wounds and protein synthesis.

If you are experiencing a zinc deficiency, you might develop a loss of appetite, taste, or smell. You may also be more likely to get sick because of decreased immune system functioning.

Calcium

Calcium is the building block of your bones and teeth, helping to keep them strong. It is also critical in heart and nerve function.

The most common sign of calcium deficiency is osteoporosis. If your doctor notices that you have osteoporosis, or if you recognize that your diet is lacking in calcium-rich foods, you may have a calcium deficiency.   

Iron

Iron is the most common mineral deficiency. The most common side effect is anemia. When someone is anemic, they do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout their body.

If you are experiencing fatigue, it could be iron deficiency. Symptoms of anemia include tiredness, weakness, decreased brain function. 

Diagnosing Mineral Deficiency with a Mineral Blood Test

Diagnosing mineral deficiencies is commonly done by evaluating symptoms and diet with nutrition tests. As you evaluate a variety of potential causes, the process may proceed slowly.

However, if you suspect you have nutritional deficiencies and are seeking medical advice, you are probably wondering, is there a blood test for vitamins?

Testing for mineral deficiencies with a blood test for vitamins is an effective, quick, and reliable way to evaluate your health.

You can compare your test result with a reference range, which indicates how much of a certain mineral or vitamin should be present in a healthy individual. This helps you to quickly identify any discrepancies.

Lab testing for mineral deficiencies can be an important preventative step in maintaining your health. These tests can evaluate your blood, plasma, or red blood cells.

Whole blood mineral tests are tests that use a whole blood specimen to measure mineral levels. These tests include:

Serum mineral tests are tests that check for mineral levels within the serum of your blood. These tests include:

Plasma mineral tests are tests that check for mineral levels within the plasma of your blood. These tests include:

Red blood cell (RBC) mineral tests are tests that check for mineral levels within or on your red blood cells. These tests include:

Using Ulta Lab Tests, you can order your tests online, visit one of our patient centers where a phlebotomist will draw your blood, and review your results from home within 48 hours.

Benefits of Mineral Deficiency Lab Testing with Ulta Lab Tests

Whether you have a history of mineral deficiencies or simply suspect that your diet isn't getting you all of the necessary vitamins and minerals, get peace of mind with a mineral blood test.

Ulta Lab Tests offers tests that are highly accurate and reliable, so you can make informed decisions about your health. Here are a few great things to love about Ulta Lab Tests:

  • You'll get secure and confidential results
  • You don't need health insurance
  • You don't need a physician's referral
  • You'll get affordable pricing
  • We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee

Order your essential mineral lab tests today, and your results will be provided to you securely and confidentially online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests.

Take control with Ulta Lab Tests today!