Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Francis

Nutrient deficiency calculator for identifying potential deficiencies and improving health

Here’s a table of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals based on the dietary reference intake (DRI) for adult males and females in the United States:

Note that these RDAs may vary depending on factors such as age, gender, pregnancy, lactation, and health status. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine your individual nutritional needs.

Who Needs a Multivitamin?

A few of us face nutrient deficiencies unless we intentionally avoid entire food groups or otherwise drastically limit our diet, says Teresa Fung, an adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Signs of deficiency include fatigue, bone pain, mood changes, muscle aches, and weakness.

The observation and documentation of oral nutritional and food intake amount, including qualitative and quantitative aspects, and measurement of energy, protein, and micronutrient intake, is an important part of nutritional assessment.

Micronutrient deficiencies afflict more than two billion people worldwide, including 340 million children. This lack of vitamins and minerals can have serious health consequences.

Magnesium deficiency can cause weight loss, of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness, according to the Cleveland Clinic

NHANES also assesses both dietary intake and supplement use in the US population, so total nutrient intake from dietary and supplemental sources can be determined. To assess nutrient intake and derive an estimate of the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy in the US population for certain nutrients, the mean intake of an age- or gender-specific group is compared to the corresponding Estimated Average Requirement ( EAR ) for a particular nutrient.

For some people, taking a multivitamin can make a difference in their health. But for others, taking a vitamin or mineral supplement is a waste of time and money.

Many health experts believe that a healthy diet provides enough nutrients for most of the nutrients you need. So, unless you have certain medical conditions or need to take certain medications often, don’t start taking a multivitamin until your doctor says it is safe.

A few people do need to take a multivitamin, such as those who are pregnant or nursing. During these times, a multivitamin that includes calcium is usually appropriate.

While some multivitamins are very expensive, you can find inexpensive brand names that will provide the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. Look for one that has the Recommended Daily Allowances of vitamins and minerals on the label.

Vitamin and vitamin D: Most multivitamins supply 400 International Units (100% DV) of vitamin D, which is needed for calcium absorption and may help prevent cancer. However, if you have dark skin, are overweight, or don’t spend much time outdoors in the sun, you will need more vitamin D than the amount in most multivitamins.

B-complex: Most multivitamins contain a combination of essential vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B-6. These vitamins work together to promote healthy metabolism, support the nervous system and help you make energy.

Generally, the amounts of these vitamins in a multivitamin are standardized to correlate with what is believed to result in optimal health effects in large populations. But the RDA/DV values for some vitamins aren’t appropriate for all people, so you should discuss them with your doctor.

Does CBC Test For Vitamin Deficiencies?

A complete blood count (CBC) is a set of blood tests that measure the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. A CBC is most often used to diagnose anemia and some types of cancer, but it can also reveal signs of other problems or health conditions like a vitamin deficiency.

Vitamin B Deficiency

A B-complex vitamin, vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12 are essential nutrients for the healthy development of nerves, muscles, and teeth. They also help prevent birth defects when taken during pregnancy.

Symptoms of a vitamin c deficiency or B-deficiency include fatigue, depression, and poor eyesight. Vitamin c deficiency B-rich foods include dark leafy vegetables, raisins, and pomegranates.

Mean Corpuscular Volume and Hematocrit

The mean corpuscular volume of your red blood cells is one way your doctor can check your blood’s iron level. A low MCV could be a sign you have an iron deficiency.

Hematocrit is another measure of your body’s ability to make and carry oxygen. It’s usually a good idea to drink plenty of water and eat iron-rich foods to help your body get enough oxygen.

Other CBC Measurements

A CBC can also give you a number of other measurements, including red blood cell indices such as the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW). These measures help your doctor know how much of each type of red blood cell is in your blood.

What Should I Do If I Have a Deficiency Or Excess of a Vitamin Or Mineral?

Many nutrients are needed to stay healthy, but some people don’t get enough of them from their diets. This can lead to a range of symptoms, from fatigue and irritability to vision problems and mouth ulcers.

B12: This vitamin is crucial for the formation nerve function of red blood cells and helps prevent a common condition called pernicious anemia. It also is essential for many muscle and nerve function well, including a sense of balance. It’s especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those who use some antidepressant medications.

D: This vitamin is needed to build bones and muscles, and is important for preventing heart and liver disease and cancer. It can also improve mood and help control appetite. It is available in supplements, but be careful not to take too much, as excessive levels of this nutrient can be toxic (hypervitaminosis, vitamin D deficiency).

Folate: This nutrient is crucial for the formation of healthy red blood cells and for the growth and development of your skin, eyes and teeth. It is also important for a healthy immune system and brain development. It’s also necessary for the production of a substance called rhodopsin, which helps you see at night.

Iron: Children and adolescents need more iron than adults because they are growing and developing. They are more likely to be low in iron if they are vegetarian or have vegan diets, or eat a limited range of foods. They might also be at higher risk if they are pregnant women have coeliac disease, have gastrointestinal bleeding, or drink too much alcohol.

Do You Have Common Vitamin Deficiencies? Healthycell’s Multivitamins and Supplements Can Help!

Even if you eat a “perfect” diet, the reality is that nutrient and mineral deficiencies are common among older adults. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes, 92 percent of American older adults are lacking in at least one mineral or vitamin.

Many Americans rely on processed junk food and fast food as their primary sources of nutrition, sacrificing the essential vitamins and minerals that should be part of their daily meals. In addition, the soil quality is deteriorating at an alarming rate and reducing the nutrients found in fresh produce.

Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can lead to serious health issues, including the development of chronic diseases, deficiency anemia, digestive disorders, and mouth ulcers. If you suspect that you’re at increased risk of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, the first step is to do a symptom journal and monitor your symptoms over time.

Then, perform a dietary self-analysis: write down everything you eat for a week and note the nutritional content of each food. Then, talk with your doctor about the specific nutrient food intak and possible nutrient deficiencieses that may be causing you problems.

Once you know what specific nutrients you need to supplement, consider whether a multivitamin is right for you. Large and extensive studies have consistently shown that a quality multivitamin is the most effective vitamin supplement you can take for long-term health and wellness.

Are at-Home Vitamin Deficiency Tests Accurate?

The answer to that question depends on a variety of factors. The company that you choose to purchase the test from, the way you take the sample, and whether the testing device is designed in accordance with medical guidelines can all have an effect on its accuracy.

LetsGetChecked, for example, offers a finger-prick micronutrient test that people can carry out at home to assess their nutrient levels. After registering online, the person collects a sample and sends it to the lab for analysis.

EverlyWell, on the other hand, offers a blood-based B vitamins test that measures the levels of these essential nutrients. This test can help you determine if your diet is lacking these crucial vitamins and, in turn, can help you get the nutrition your body needs.

Baze, another test kit company, offers a comprehensive vitamin and mineral test, along with a follow-up supplement plan based on your results. It also includes a money-back guarantee, so you can try it for free before committing to a monthly subscription.

Rootine, on the other hand, focuses on the nutritional deficiencies and nutrient deficiencies at the cellular level with a unique algorithm that uses genetics to better understand each individual’s needs. The brand also offers individualized coaching if you’d like more support than just the test results.

While at-home tests aren’t as accurate as lab-based tests, they can be a convenient and affordable option for anyone concerned about their nutrient levels. But make sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully and keep the sample away from environmental contamination.

How Can I Get My Vitamin Levels Checked?

If you’re feeling tired, weak or dizzy, it could be due to a deficiency in one or more of your vitamins. They’re essential to your health and help support all the organs and cells in your body.

If your doctor suspects you’re lacking a vitamin, they may order a blood test for you. They say blood test can also help you identify if a specific nutritional deficiency is causing your symptoms and treat it accordingly.

Your Primary Care Physician (PCP) can test for a range of nutrients, from a vitamin D deficiency, to calcium, magnesium and iron. He or she can also review your current diet and discuss any symptoms you’re having, says Sarah McHugh, M.D., founder of Parsley Health in New York City.

The Most Accurate Online Vitamin Deficiency Tests

There are a variety of at-home tests that can provide you with results in just a few days. Some, like LetsGetChecked, use a finger-prick sample, while others rely on saliva samples. Some of them also offer support from a nurse, so you can have an informed discussion about your results.

For example, the Everlywell Vitamin D and Inflammation Test measures your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels as well as a high-sensitivity to vitamin C over-reactive protein level. This helps assess whether your vitamin D deficiency is causing inflammation in the body and if you might benefit from supplementation or other lifestyle changes.

If you’re unsure which tests are right for you, speak with your doctor or a nutritionist to get an individualized plan that’s right for you.

Folate Fatigue

A deficiency in folic acid can cause folate-related anemia, which is a problem with red blood cells. A lack of these cells prevents your organs and tissues from getting enough oxygen, which can make you feel tired and listless.

Signs and symptoms of folate deficiency include weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, slowed heartbeat, trouble concentrating, hair loss, and pale skin. If you have these symptoms, talk to your health care provider about the possibility of a folate deficiency.

Taking a medication that makes it harder for your body to absorb folate can also cause increased risk of this type of anemia. These medicines include phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), valproate (Depacon), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

Pregnant women are at high risk of folate and calcium deficiency too. They often need extra folic acid to keep their baby’s brain and spinal cord healthy. The risk calcium deficiency is even greater for premature babies, as they require more folic acid than normal to develop.

People with digestive system diseases such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can also have a hard time absorbing folic acid from their diets. In this situation, a supplement or dietary plan can help.

Researchers have found that a diet rich in folate is associated with lower rates of cancers, including colorectal, lung, pancreatic, stomach, and ovarian. Some of the evidence suggests that this is due to folate keeping DNA healthy and preventing mutations that can lead to cancer. However, more research is needed to determine how this happens.

Iron Deficiency Fatigue

When you have iron deficiency, it can lead to fatigue. That’s because you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.

The liver uses the iron from your food to make new red blood cells. These cells are made up of haemoglobin, a complex protein that carries oxygen.

Your muscles need iron too, to produce energy. You also need iron to keep the enzymes that drive various cell functions healthy.

Headaches and dizziness can be a sign of iron deficiency. This happens when your brain needs oxygen but doesn’t get it fast enough, because you have fewer red blood cells to deliver it.

Dark circles under your eyes are also a common symptom of iron deficiency. This is because it can prevent your blood from carrying sufficient amounts of oxygen to the tissues in your eye.

Pale skin and lethargy are other signs of iron deficiency, because it can cause your body to prioritize getting oxygen to your brain over the rest of your body.

If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor about it. They can work with you to do further tests to determine if you have an iron deficiency and help you find ways to increase your dietary intake of of iron-rich foods.

The best way to get your iron is to eat lots of meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and eggs. In addition to fortified foods, you can boost your iron absorption by eating a diet rich in vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.

To Test Or Not to Test?

Tests are a great way to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of their course materials. Moreover, standardised exams can be a useful tool for gauging the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s study habits.

However, there are some reasons why tests can be a bad idea in many cases. For instance, it can be easy to get caught up in panic and become anxious during testing.

In addition, if you’re worried about being wrong on a test, it can be difficult to think clearly and remember the correct answer. Therefore, it’s important to take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about your score.

When taking a standardized exam, it’s often helpful to do a first pass through the questions that are easiest for you to answer. This will help you to warm up and be more focused on the rest of the test.

Skip questions on your first pass that you aren’t sure about and come back to them later. This will allow you to take your time with those questions that are more challenging and ensure that you do not leave yourself short on the test.

Rapid antigen tests can be a good tool in some situations, but they have their limits and don’t work for everyone. It’s also important to understand that a negative antigen test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not contagious. It may just mean that you haven’t reached a certain threshold of virus particles in your body.

Potassium and Muscle Weakness

The human body also needs potassium to maintain fluid balance and regulate blood pressure, as we other nutrients suchll as contract muscles and transmit nerve signals. This nutrient also plays an important role in bone health, muscle and nerve function and preserving the health of heart and kidney cells.

Some medications, like beta-adrenergic agonists (used to treat asthma), ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and steroid hormones can cause the body to lose too much potassium, resulting in hypokalemia. This can lead to serious problems such as irregular heartbeat or nausea.

Other causes of potassium deficiency include eating a diet that contains too little potassium or having an underlying condition that makes it hard for your body to excrete the potassium it needs. People with diabetes, for example, often have low potassium levels.

Occasionally, potassium deficiency can cause tingling or numbness in the hands and feet (19). These symptoms can be harmless if you have an overactive nervous system, but they can become chronic when the nerves are not functioning properly or when they have been damaged by illness or disease.

Hyperkalemia, on the other hand, is a dangerous condition that is usually caused by not being able to excrete enough potassium through your urine. This is common in people with kidney diseases or those taking certain medicines, such as ACE inhibitors or diuretics.

Potassium can be taken by mouth or given through a vein (IV). This treatment can prevent or reverse attacks of muscle weakness and help people avoid permanent weight loss because of strength.