Full London Vitamin and Mineral Panel In London - Order Online

Ferritin is a protein found in the blood which carries iron. Like TIBC/UIBC, and transferrin saturation, it can tell us how much iron is stored in the body. The higher the level within a health screening, the greater the amount of iron stored. This test can be used to detect iron deficiency, and also conditions of iron excess (such as haemochromatosis). Ferritin can also be raised if inflammation is present in the body somewhere.

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin, essential for the normal functioning of many body processes. Deficiency can lead to anaemia (poor quality red blood cells) and neurological (nerve) disorders. It is most abundant in meat products so vegetarians are more vulnerable to deficiency of this vitamin. Pernicious anaemia develops if uptake of vitamin B12 into the blood from the gut is absent or severely impaired, and even if a diet rich in the vitamin is taken, deficiency will occur if this disease is present. Recent evidence suggests that mild deficiency is probably more common than previously thought. Mild deficiency may explain the presence of fatigue and a host of other limiting symptoms which is why we have included it within the PLUS V and PLUS X health screening profiles.

Vitamin D Vitamin D is an important vitamin, essential for good bone health. It is manufactured in the skin through sunlight exposure and is found in several foods. Prolonged Vitamin D lack can cause osteomalacia, a disease which causes severe structural deformities to the skeleton. Lower level Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a number of non-specific symptoms, including chronic pain, weak bones, frequent infections depression and fatigue. It has been estimated that between 50-70% of people living in the northern Europe (where daylight length reduces your chances of receiving adequate sunlight in the winter) are deficient in this vitamin by March each year which is why health screening for this important vitamin is essential.

Zinc Zinc is an essential component in cellular processes such as DNA replication + transcription. Zinc is also a co-factor from over 300 enzymes. Over 25% of the world's population has a low or marginal zinc status (these symptoms can be mild). Some include loss of appetite/taste or increased susceptibility to infection.

Magnesium Magnesium is second most common intracellular cation, which is after potassium. Magnesium is a key element in more than 300 enzyme processes. Serum magnesium should be tested when a patient could have deficiencys such as malnutrition, alcoholsim, diarrhoea (more are included). Some deficiency symptoms of magnesium include muscle cramps, weakness, vertigo, depression.

Sodium is an essential electrolyte involved in several bodily functions. The kidneys regulate its level in the body. High or low levels can be seen in a number of diseases, and the level can be influenced either way by prescribed medication (eg diuretics can cause a drop-in sodium).