{"id":32059,"date":"2025-06-16T14:19:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/blog\/?p=32059"},"modified":"2025-06-16T14:19:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T19:19:44","slug":"vibrant-micronutrient-blood-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholehealthchicago.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/16\/vibrant-micronutrient-blood-test","title":{"rendered":"A GENUINELY USEFUL BLOOD TEST"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many a time, either in person or via phone, someone will say a variation of the following, \u201cLook, I\u2019m taking all these vitamins and minerals but I really don\u2019t know what I\u2019m doing. I think I\u2019m eating right but I might have some vitamin or mineral deficiencies that I know nothing about. I really don\u2019t know the consequences of these deficiencies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I answer slowly and thoughtfully, gathering the wisdom of decades. \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then I elaborate. \u201cPerfectly reasonable. Nutritional supplements are not inexpensive and you\u2019re probably wasting big bucks on something a health food store clerk recommended years ago and may be fully covered by your eating habits. You may also have problems with absorption of certain vitamins or genetic issues like methylation that interfere with proper utilization and may result in chronic health issues. The consequences of these deficiencies and imbalances may go unnoticed but basically your body may not be working at 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

-or-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve not been feeling my \u2018best\u2019 for years. My PCP and all the specialists keep telling me all my tests are \u2018normal’. When I ask, \u2018Shouldn\u2019t we check my vitamins and minerals, you know, my nutritional status, I\u2019m told, \u2018We don\u2019t do that\u2019 or \u2018You\u2019re eating just fine.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vibrant Micronutrient Panel covers everything your heart desires, measuring nutrient levels both inside your cells (\u201cintracellular\u201d) and in the liquid they float in (\u201cextracellular\u201d). The test includes all your vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the negative side, health insurance companies generally do not cover nutritional tests because they\u2019re classified as \u201cpreventive\u201d. You can, of course, submit your paid receipt to your insurer and hope for the best, or use your HSA\/FSA account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the best news is that the Vibrant Micronutrient Panel, which includes a report all about your results, is a reasonably priced $630. You pay this directly to the lab. Here\u2019s a sample report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a WholeHealth Chicago patient and are interesting in this test, talk to your provider so we can get it ordered for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you receive your test kit and are scheduled for a blood draw, you do NOT need to arrive \u2018fasting\u2019 but you should discontinue your current supplement regimen one week before your scheduled blood draw. We’ll get your test results in about 10 days, and it’s important to schedule a follow up appointment to go over them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the Vibrant Micronutrient Panel is self-explanatory, I suggest a visit with your WholeHealth Chicago practitioner<\/a> or our nutritionist Olivia Darrow. We\u2019ll help you order supplements through our apothecary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from those of you who are curious about your nutritional status, those who really should get a Vibrant Micronutrient Panel include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n