SAVE 20% on select tests during our 12 Days of Quest! Terms apply.
Nutrient Deficiency Test Panel for Oral Contraceptive Patients
Nutrient Deficiency Test Panel for Oral Contraceptive Patients
Oral contraceptives may make it difficult for your body to get the nutrients it needs. Measure the levels of 7 nutrients in your blood that research has shown can be affected by oral contraceptives. Read moreTest details
Sample type:
Blood
Preparation:
Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 10-12 hours is required.
If you are taking supplements or medications, check with your healthcare provider to see whether you should take them before the test. Avoiding supplements containing the nutrients being tested for 24 hours prior to collection is preferred.
Note: supplements containing selenium must be avoided 3 days prior to collection.
How
Blood
About the Test
The Nutrient Deficiency Panel for Oral Contraceptive Patients measures the levels of the following 7 nutrients in your blood: vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium, and zinc.
Identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies are important steps toward better health. Your body does not produce most vitamins and minerals, so you must get them from food or supplements. How nutrients work in your body is influenced by more than just what you eat. These factors include genetics, age, health conditions, medications, metabolism, and how well your body absorbs nutrients.
Oral contraceptives may make it difficult to get the nutrients your body needs. Having these nutrients tested helps you and your doctor decide if you need to supplement with additional vitamins or minerals.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
FAQs
No. Absorption rates of nutrients vary from person to person. It's important to get tested so you know which nutrients you're not getting enough of. Then, you can talk with your doctor about what supplements, if any, to take.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Selenium. February 26, 2024. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/selenium/nium | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- National Institutes of Health. Selenium. February 26, 2024. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
- Palmery M, Saraceno A, Vaiarelli A, Carlomagno G. Oral contraceptives and changes in nutritional requirements. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2013;17(13):1804-1813.
- Wilson SMC, Bivins BN, Russell KA, Bailey LB. Oral contraceptive use: Impact on folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 status. Nutrition Reviews. 2011;69(10):572-583. doi:10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00419.x
- McArthur JO, Tang H, Petocz P, Samman S. Biological variability and impact of oral contraceptives on vitamins B(6), B(12) and folate status in women of reproductive age. Nutrients. 2013;5(9):3634-3645. Published 2013 Sep 16. doi:10.3390/nu5093634
- Akinloye O, Adebayo TO, Oguntibeju OO, Oparinde DP, Ogunyemi EO. Effects of contraceptives on serum trace elements, calcium and phosphorus levels. West Indian Med J. 2011;60(3):308-315.