Ulta Lab Tests

Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Tests

Vitamin and mineral deficiency testing helps explain symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, muscle cramps, brittle nails, mood changes, and brain fog. Micronutrients power energy production, red-blood-cell formation, bones and muscles, nerves, immunity, and thyroid function. Because the same symptoms can come from many causes, a stepwise, lab-first plan clarifies what’s truly off, rules out look-alikes, and provides a baseline for monitoring.

Most people start with iron studies (with ferritin), vitamin B12 (with MMA when indicated), folate, and vitamin D, plus calcium and magnesium. Based on your history, add zinc, copper (± ceruloplasmin), selenium, and urine iodine. Your results 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, exertional shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, brittle nails (iron/B12/folate)

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

  • Muscle & bone: cramps, spasms, weakness, bone pain, frequent fractures (magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus)

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

  • Thyroid & metabolism: goiter or temperature 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 (B12/magnesium), diuretics (magnesium/potassium), metformin (B12), high-zinc supplements (can lower copper), chelators

  • 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 deficiencies or excesses early—even before symptoms are obvious

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

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

What testing cannot do

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

  • Replace imaging/procedures when structural causes are suspected

  • Provide dosing instructions—review results with your clinician

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

  • Iron status & anemia:

    • Ferritin (iron stores; rises with inflammation), Serum Iron, TIBC, Transferrin Saturation, CBC/indices(MCV)

  • B-vitamins:

    • Vitamin B12 with MMA (functional deficiency), Folate (± RBC folate)

  • Bone-mineral axis:

    • 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D, Calcium (total ± ionized), Phosphorus, PTH (when calcium/Vit D are abnormal)

  • Magnesium:

    • Serum Mg (circulating), RBC Mg (cell-associated, medium-term), 24-hr urine Mg (renal loss vs. intake)

  • Trace elements:

    • Zinc (skin/immune/taste), Copper ± Ceruloplasmin (hematologic/neurologic; balance with zinc), Selenium(antioxidant/thyroid)

  • Iodine:

    • Urine iodine (recent intake; selected use in pregnancy planning or extreme diets)

  • Context markers:

    • CRP/ESR (inflammation can mask iron deficiency), CMP (liver/kidney, electrolytes)

Preparation notes: Fasting is usually not required. Avoid high-dose supplements—especially biotin, zinc, and iodine—for 24 hours if advised. Prevent hemolysis (can alter 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 • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D • Calcium • Serum Mg RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper ± Ceruloplasmin • Selenium
Fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Thyroid panel • Zinc
Neuropathy/brain fog Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate Copper ± Ceruloplasmin • TSH
Cramps, palpitations, migraines Serum Mg • RBC Mg • Calcium • CMP 24-hr Urine Mg • Potassium • Phosphorus
Bone pain or fractures 25-OH Vitamin D • Calcium • Phosphorus PTH (clinician-directed)
GI malabsorption/bariatric/IBD Ferritin/Iron/TIBC • CBC • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D • Serum Mg RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper • Selenium • CRP
Pregnancy/preconception CBC • Ferritin • Vitamin B12 • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D Urine Iodine (selected)
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: use the Quick Build Guide to match your goals and history.

  2. Prepare for accuracy: pause high-dose supplements if advised (biotin, zinc, iodine); list all medicines that can affect absorption or losses.

  3. Provide samples: standard blood draw; urine for iodine or 24-hour magnesium when ordered.

  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 schedule.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

  • Low ferritin + low transferrin saturation → iron deficiency; investigate sources of blood loss or malabsorption.

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

  • Low B12 or high MMA → functional B12 deficiency; correlate with diet, medicines (metformin, PPIs), and symptoms.

  • Low 25-OH vitamin D → interpret alongside calcium, phosphorus, and PTH if abnormal.

  • Low serum and/or RBC magnesium → compatible with deficiency; 24-hr urine helps distinguish renal loss from low intake.

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

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

  • Core deficiency screen: Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Vitamin B12 ± MMA • Folate • 25-OH Vitamin D • Calcium • Serum Mg

  • Trace element depth: RBC Mg • Zinc • Copper ± Ceruloplasmin • Selenium • Urine Iodine

  • Bone-mineral axis: Phosphorus • PTH (when calcium/Vit D are abnormal)

  • Malabsorption depth: CRP/ESR • CMP; add targeted nutrients based on history
    Use a bundled panel for efficiency; add targeted markers to answer specific questions and monitor change.

FAQs

Do I need to fast for vitamin and mineral testing?
Usually no. A few 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 is an acute-phase reactant. 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?
No. Hair testing is not a diagnostic standard. Blood/urine tests are preferred for decisions.

How often should I re-test?
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 B12 ± MMA, vitamin D, and (selectively) urine iodine.

Related Test Categories & Key Tests

  • All Vitamin & Mineral Tests

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

  • Key Tests: Ferritin • Iron • TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • CBC • Vitamin B12 • Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) • Folate • 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D • Calcium • Magnesium (Serum) • Magnesium (RBC) • Magnesium (24-hr Urine) • 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, Copper, Selenium, Iodine 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, bariatric surgery, and malabsorption.
  • AACC (American Association for Clinical Chemistry) — Best practices for nutrient and trace-element testing; biotin interference advisories.

Available Tests & Panels

Your Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a core deficiency screen, then use filters to add trace elements or bone-mineral markers based on your goals and medical history. Follow any preparation guidance, and review results with your clinician to confirm causes and set a monitoring plan.

Key Lab Panels to Identify Vitamins and Mineral Deficiencies

“Take your vitamins” may seem like advice for growing kids, but it’s important for adult health management too. Here are some findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’s latest data:

  • Over 30 million (10%) of Americans have a vitamin deficiency
  • 32% of adults are vitamin B6 deficient
  • 95% are vitamin D deficient
  • 61% have a magnesium deficiency

A vitamin and mineral test is essential to maintaining your total body health.

You don’t need a prescription and a costly doctor’s visit. Our services are fast, easy, and secure and will get you the results you need.

A vitamin test is simple, but it can be challenging to know which test you should choose and why. Read on for our vitamin test guide so you can make informed choices on the right test for you.

What Are Vitamin & Mineral Tests?

A balanced intake of vitamins and minerals generally comes from a healthy diet or supplements if there are dietary restrictions. These vitamins and minerals include the following:

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

Vitamin and mineral tests use a sample of your blood to test for the levels of vitamins and minerals circulating in your body. A phlebotomist at an authorized patient service center will draw your blood and forward the specimen to a national laboratory for testing.

Once the specimen arrives at the lab, testing will begin, and results will post to your online patient portal within a couple of days as the lab completes testing.

Benefits of Vitamin & Mineral Lab Testing

Vitamins and minerals play a role in our bodies' functions, from bone density to brain functions. They’re also related to chronic diseases and health conditions, such as:

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

Most people don’t actively monitor their vitamin and mineral intake. A vitamin and mineral test determines if you have a deficiency or are at risk for developing one.

A vitamin deficiency can be an early warning sign you’re developing serious health issues. If caught early, many conditions like diabetes and anemia can be avoided. A fast response is always the best response.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and the world. A healthy intake of essential vitamins and minerals can mitigate risk factors for heart disease.

Vitamin & Mineral Tests for Your Health

At Ulta Lab Tests, we offer four main vitamin and minerals blood tests:

The Vitamins & Minerals - Basic panel includes 4 tests and 6 biomarkers. This test looks for anemia. The serum folate markers ensure your recent diet is providing accurate results.

The Vitamins & Minerals - Basic Plus panel has 8 tests and 13 biomarkers. Along with anemia, it has a vitamin D test that can help determine if health issues like depression are related to a vitamin deficiency.

The Vitamins & Minerals - Advanced panel has 22 tests with 115 biomarkers. It tests for multiple deficiencies along with a urinalysis test for the levels of your white and red blood counts.

The Vitamins & Minerals - Comprehensive panel has 24 tests and 34 biomarkers. It offers a full range of testing for over twenty essential vitamins and minerals.

Depending on your symptoms, you may need only a basic panel or a urinalysis with a vitamin blood test. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamin Tests

Getting a vitamin and mineral test is easy to do and comes with many benefits. You take active control of your health and ensure you get the necessary nutritional intake needed to prevent certain health issues from developing.

But you may still be unsure why a vitamin test is necessary if you eat plenty of food and don’t have dietary restrictions. Or you may not know what to do if it reveals a deficiency.

How Will a Vitamin Test Help You?

American diets are notoriously high in fat, sugar, and salt and low in nutritional value.

In our fast-paced workaholic culture, processed food and fast food is the norm. Millions of Americans even live in food deserts where healthy food is not accessible.

You may have mental and physical health symptoms without connecting them to a deficiency. Your symptoms can also mimic health issues you already know about.

FOR EXAMPLE, Vitamin D deficiency correlates with depression, and many of their symptoms (fatigue, body aches) are the same. Only a vitamin D blood test can reveal the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Other symptoms of vitamin deficiencies include:

  • Mood shifts
  • Personality changes
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea and upset digestion

Even if you have access to plenty of food, it may not be the best quality for vitamin intake. It’s easy to develop a vitamin deficiency even in countries that have low rates of food insecurity.

Vitamin D deficiencies are especially prevalent. Almost every adult would benefit from a vitamin D test alone.

What Should You Do if Your Test Reveals a Deficiency?

Fortunately, low vitamin and mineral levels are usually easy to correct.

You might need to make minor adjustments to your diet or take vitamin and mineral supplements in most cases. Some doctors may even prescribe your supplements. You can get tested again a few months later to make sure the adjustments are working.

If your deficiency is a sign of serious health issues, a vitamin and mineral test will show what further specific tests are needed. A lack of vitamin absorption, even if you have a healthy intake, indicates a potential problem.

Both Chron's and celiac disease, for example, interfere with the absorption of B12. It’s important to understand your test results and what they could mean to your health.

Benefits of Vitamin and Mineral Testing with Ulta Lab Tests

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

  • Secure and confidential results
  • No health insurance required
  • No physician's referral required
  • Affordable pricing
  • Your 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Order your vitamin and mineral test today. Your results will be provided to you securely and confidentially online in 24 to 48 hours for most tests and 5-7 business days for complex lab tests.

Take control with Ulta Lab Tests today!