Nutrition Blood Test, from our experts to you.
Dr Sam Rodgers MBBS, MRCGPChief Medical Officer
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Can I get all the nutrients I need from my diet?
Most balanced diets provide us with all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need without needing supplements. But, even with the best intentions, not everyone eats as well as they could all of the time. You may eat a healthy diet but restrict certain food groups which can leave you deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. For example, if you eat a plant-based diet, you may be more prone to vitamin B12 or vitamin D deficiencies.
What can I learn from a nutrition test?
With our Nutrition Blood Test, you’ll find out whether you need to include more vitamins and minerals in your diet or whether you might benefit from a supplement.
What's included in a nutrition test?
Our home Nutrition Blood Test includes vitamin D and active B12 as well as ferritin and magnesium. It also contains a complete cholesterol profile, with a breakdown of LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol, as well as a marker for inflammation (CRP-hs). These markers are helpful as your diet can influence them.
What's Included?
How to prepare for your test?
Special Instructions
Prepare for your Nutrition Blood Test by following these instructions. Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled. Avoid fatty foods for eight hours before your test, you do not need to fast. You should take this test before you take any medication or vitamin/mineral supplements. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
Frequently asked questions
Why have a blood test as a vegan?
Blood tests can help you to monitor your health as a vegan or vegetarian to make sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients or identify any health conditions.
Having a blood test can help you monitor how diet changes impact your health, check you are getting the right vitamins and minerals, and observe the effects of supplementation.
What deficiencies are vegans more prone to?
If you are following a plant-based diet, there are some important biomarkers you may need to keep an eye on to make sure you are getting adequate levels.
Key biomarkers for vegans:
- Vitamin B12
- Ferritin (your body’s iron stores)
- Vitamin D
- Omega 6:3 ratio
Do vegans have lower cholesterol?
Unhealthy cholesterol profiles are a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
Our veganalysis shows that, on average, people following a vegan diet have 15% lower non-HDL cholesterol (the more harmful stuff) and lower total cholesterol levels (9.93%) than people following an omnivorous diet. Non-HDL cholesterol levels in early middle age are associated with heart disease in later life.
Can vegans get enough iron?
You can get all the iron you need from a vegan or plant-based diet.
Plenty of plant foods contain a good amount of iron, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, tofu, cashew nuts, chia seeds, ground linseed, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, kale, dried apricots and figs, raisins, quinoa, and fortified breakfast cereal.
Learn more about plant-based diets and nutrition, including what to monitor when eating a plant-based diet.