Micronutrient Panel Blood Test

Core Vitamin and Micronutrient Test Panel

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for your body to function properly. Core vitamins and minerals such as iodine, magnesium, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and zinc, help the body produce hormones and red-blood cells, activate enzymes, keep your heart healthy, and much more. Knowing if certain vitamins and mineral levels are out of balance can give insight into what type of dietary changes or supplements are needed to improve your body’s health. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood and Urine

Preparation:

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is recommended. Certain supplements and medications can interfere with your test results. If you are concerned about any of your supplements or medications impacting your results, talk to your healthcare provider before your sample is collected to see if you should stop taking them and for how long.

Test type: In Person

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$239.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the test

This micronutrient panel measures iodine, magnesium, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), and zinc in your blood. These core vitamins and minerals play essential roles in supporting basic cell functions such as producing hormones and red-blood cells, making DNA, activating enzymes, and moving oxygen. They are also critical for keeping your heart healthy and helping the brain and muscles develop properly, amongst other things.

Vitamins and minerals are taken into our body through the food we eat and the liquids we drink. These vitamins and minerals are filtered out of our bodies by our kidneys or gastrointestinal system via urine or stool. Normal bodily functions are disrupted when vitamins and minerals are out of balance. Vitamin and mineral imbalances can be caused by many things, including, but not limited to, dehydration, overhydration, diet, medical conditions, or taking certain medications.

No doctor’s visit needed. Buy this micronutrient lab panel test, visit a nearby Quest location, and get fast results.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You are curious about your current vitamin and mineral levels
You have been diagnosed with certain medicals conditions such as anemia or osteoporosis, or are on supplements and want to monitor your results
You are on medication(s) that may interfere with your body’s absorption of certain vitamins and minerals
You are living a dietary lifestyle low in iodine, magnesium, vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), or zinc (ie, vegan, vegetarian, or highly restrictive)
You are exhibiting signs and symptoms of a vitamin or mineral imbalance (see Signs & symptoms section below)

This vitamin panel measures 6 of the core vitamins and micronutrients that help maintain your body’s overall health.

This test measures the amount of iodine in your urine. Iodine is a trace mineral that is essential for making thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine, or T3 and thyroxine, or T4). These hormones drive many bodily functions, such as regulating metabolism, growth, and development, and turning food into energy. The thyroid can't produce the proper level of hormones without enough iodine. Our bodies don't produce iodine so we must get it from food, iodized salt, or supplements. Iodine is naturally found in animal proteins, fish (cod, tuna, etc.), shellfish (eg, shrimp), dairy products, seaweed (dulse, kelp, nori), eggs, and iodized table salt. If you don’t eat enough iodine-rich foods, or if your body doesn’t store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Overconsumption of iodine-rich foods, excess use of iodine dietary supplements, or taking medications containing iodine may lead to high levels.

Magnesium is an essential mineral needed in our bodies in large amounts. Magnesium plays an important role in keeping your heart and muscles functioning normally, regulating blood sugar levels, maintaining blood pressure, and helping your body absorb calcium. Magnesium also helps keep bones strong and regulates the immune system. If you don’t eat enough magnesium-rich foods, or if your body doesn’t store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Too little magnesium may cause muscle spasms or cramps, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, numbness, uncontrolled eye movements, or convulsions. A lack of magnesium for an extended period has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is necessary for red and white blood cell development; tissue growth; cell function; the breakdown, usage, and creation of proteins; and the production of DNA. This vitamin is essential during pregnancy to help prevent birth defects and congenital disabilities of the brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). Folate enables the proper growth of fetal tissues and cells. Folate must be supplied by the diet or through supplementation because the body is not able to produce it independently. Folate is naturally found in beans and peas, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, and yeast. Folic acid is the manufactured (synthetic) version of folate, which is found in supplements and fortified foods. Low levels of folate may occur if people do not consume enough folate or the body does not store or absorb enough of the vitamin. People who are deficient in folate may not have any symptoms or may present with symptoms of anemia (a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues) or nerve damage. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the nervous system.

Cobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells, create DNA, and keeps your nervous system healthy. If you don't eat enough cobalamin-rich foods, or if your body doesn't store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. People who are deficient in cobalamin may not have any symptoms or may have symptoms of anemia, depression, weakness, tiredness, memory loss, or nerve damage. Early detection is important to prevent irreversible damage over time, especially to the nervous system.

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is necessary for the proper functioning of your heart, blood vessels, insulin, and mood. Vitamin D also helps regulate calcium and phosphorus. These are essential nutrients for strong bones and healthy cells. Vitamin D can also help the immune system fight infections. If you don’t eat enough vitamin D-rich foods, or if your body doesn’t make enough of it, you may have low levels. Not having enough vitamin D can lead to bone pain, muscle weakness, or depression. Your body makes vitamin D after direct exposure to sunlight. It then stores an inactive form of vitamin D in fat cells until it's needed. Your liver and kidneys change the inactive form of vitamin D into the active form (25-hydroxyvitamin D) your body needs.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral, needed in small amounts, to help activate over 300 enzymes in your body. Zinc helps to build and protect DNA, grow cells, heal wounds, build proteins, and strengthen your immune system. It can help reduce oxidative stress (when free radicals outnumber antioxidants), inflammation, and the risk of infection. Zinc is especially important during times when the body is changing quickly, such as during childhood or pregnancy. Zinc measurements are used to detect and monitor industrial, dietary, and accidental exposure to zinc. When zinc levels are out of balance, due to a vitamin deficiency or certain medical conditions, then these processes are not performed properly. If you don’t eat enough zinc-rich foods, or if your body doesn’t store or absorb enough of it, you may have low levels. Too little zinc may cause weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss. It may also cause skin changes, vision problems, slow wound healing, irritability, hair loss, and frequent infections. Excessive zinc levels can interfere with the absorption of other essential nutrients like copper and iron.

Signs and symptoms of vitamin or mineral deficiencies can depend on what vitamin or nutrient your body is lacking; however, the general signs and symptoms include:

Unusual cravings (such as ice or clay, known as pica, which may occur in iron deficiency)
Fatigue
Changes to your skin, hair, or nails (such as brittle nails, hair loss, or delayed wound healing)
Vision issues
Muscle control/nerve problems
Memory loss, confusion, or trouble concentrating
Mood changes
Bleeding/bruising
Balance problems

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostic location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest^® account, you can review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare provider. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

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Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

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After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

FAQs

Would taking supplements be helpful if I am deficient in a particular vitamin or mineral?

If your body is not absorbing certain nutrients properly, your doctor may suggest you consider taking a supplement for that nutrient.

While it is unlikely to get too much of a nutrient if you are taking a supplement, getting too much, known as toxicity, is possible. It's recommended to confirm a deficiency through testing and talk with your doctor prior to taking supplements.

What’s the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins?

Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins differ in how they are absorbed by the human body.

A water-soluble vitamin dissolves in water and is easily absorbed by the body. Your body does not store these vitamins for long, so any extra will be eliminated in your urine. Because of this, it's important to consume them every day.

A fat-soluble vitamin dissolves in fats and oils and is absorbed with the fats you eat. Your body stores any extra in your liver or fatty tissues. Because of this, you don't need to consume them every day.

What are enzymes and coenzymes?

An enzyme is a protein that helps to start, or speed up, a reaction in the body. A coenzyme is a non-protein molecule that helps an enzyme to perform that reaction.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

Cleveland Clinic. Vitamin Deficiency Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/vitamin-deficiency
National Library of Medicine. Main nutritional deficiencies. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9710417/
Merk Manual Professional Version. Symptoms and Signs of Nutritional Deficiency. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/table/symptoms-and-signs-of-nutritional-deficiency
National Library of Medicine. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7019700/

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Core Vitamin and Micronutrient Test Panel