Nutritional Disorder

Here’s a list of blood tests used to diagnose nutritional disorders, along with their purpose and the key parameters they measure:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • Purpose: Assesses overall health and detects disorders like anemia, infections, and many other conditions related to nutritional deficiencies.
  • Parameters: Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), Platelets

2. Iron Profile

  • Purpose: Diagnoses iron deficiency or overload, common in nutritional disorders like anemia or hemochromatosis.
  • Parameters: Serum Iron, Ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin Saturation

3. Vitamin D Test (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)

  • Purpose: Measures vitamin D levels, essential for bone health and calcium regulation.
  • Parameters: 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D)

4. Vitamin B12 Test

  • Purpose: Detects vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to anemia and neurological issues.
  • Parameters: Serum Vitamin B12 levels

5. Folate (Vitamin B9) Test

  • Purpose: Identifies folate deficiency, critical for cell division and DNA production.
  • Parameters: Serum Folate levels

6. Calcium Test

  • Purpose: Checks calcium levels, important for bone health, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
  • Parameters: Serum Calcium levels

7. Magnesium Test

  • Purpose: Measures magnesium levels, which are vital for muscle and nerve function, and bone health.
  • Parameters: Serum Magnesium levels

8. Zinc Test

  • Purpose: Evaluates zinc levels, crucial for immune function, cell growth, and wound healing.
  • Parameters: Serum Zinc levels

9. Lipid Profile

  • Purpose: Assesses fat metabolism and identifies risks for cardiovascular diseases due to dietary imbalances.
  • Parameters: Total Cholesterol, HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), Triglycerides

10. Electrolyte Panel

  • Purpose: Detects imbalances in essential electrolytes that may result from poor nutrition.
  • Parameters: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate

11. Prealbumin Test

  • Purpose: Evaluates nutritional status, especially in cases of protein-energy malnutrition.
  • Parameters: Serum Prealbumin levels

12. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

  • Purpose: Assesses inflammation which can be influenced by poor nutrition and deficiencies.
  • Parameters: Serum CRP levels

These tests help in identifying specific nutrient deficiencies and overall nutritional health, guiding proper dietary and medical interventions.