why should you get a vitamin profile done?

introduction

Almost all of us know that vitamins are essential elements required by our body. Yet, given the busy pace of our lives, we tend to overlook the significance of these crucial nutrients required for maintaining good physical and psychological health.

Another known fact is that too much or too little of anything is bad. Extending the same concept to vitamins implies that either deficiency or excess of vitamins can cause serious health issues, which aren’t reflected in the usual medical tests. One should, therefore, never underestimate the importance of a vitamin profile test. Now, you might be curious to learn how important it is to get your vitamin profile done, aren’t you? Read on to get all your answers.

why you need to get your vitamin profile done?

Vitamins are an inevitable need of our body for its overall well-being, and our body requires about 13 crucial vitamins. However, lifestyle habits coupled with improper and unhealthy dietary practices can make you suffer from deficiency or overdose of certain vitamins. For instance, if you feel lethargic, weak, or fatigued for a prolonged duration and all your medical tests happen to be normal, then you must get your vitamin profile done since chances are that you might have a lower than required reserve of Vitamin B12 or the D Vitamin.

So, vitamin profile tells you whether you suffer from hypovitaminosis or hypervitaminosis and it helps your physician to fix it.

who should get their vitamin profile done?

All adults should have their vitamin profile done at least once in a year. Middle-aged individuals to senior citizens, particularly who suffer from joint pain and weak bones issues, should get their vitamin profile done.

what does vitamin profile tests include?

A qualified lab technician draws some blood from your body for testing your vitamin levels. Usually, the tests for vitamin profile include:

• 25OH Vitamin D reflex PTH
• Vitamin B-12 with Folate
• Magnesium
• Ionised Calcium

Before going for vitamin deficiencies tests, you need to fast for 8 to 10 hours (except for having water). Thereafter, the blood test is conducted by a lab technician. Your collected blood is then processed in a lab, and you get the reports specifying the deficiencies and overdoses of vitamins in 24 hours.

why is it important to get your vitamin profile done¹?

Vitamin check-up profile alerts you about various vitamin deficiencies or excess of them that may affect your health. Find below some of the crucial findings that you learn after getting your vitamin tests done.

• Lack Or Excess Of Vitamin A²: Lack of vitamin A in your body may result in poor skin health and night-blindness. Excess of this vitamin can cause headache, yellowing of skin, vomiting, blurred vision, and hair loss. Vitamin profile informs you whether you are suffering from the deficiency or overdose of vitamin A so your physician can help you combat it easily.
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency: Beriberi, chronic fatigue, and brain abnormalities are some of the causes of vitamin B1 deficiency that you may learn from your vitamin profile.
• Deficiency Of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Digestive problems, fatigue, and skin problems are some of the common symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency. Discover them at an early stage by getting your vitamin profile done.
• Low Or High Levels Of Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Low levels of vitamin B3 may make you suffer from sensitivity to light, fatigue, and skin issues. Excess of this vitamin can be the prominent cause of flushed face, neck, and hands. Vitamin tests inform you about it.
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Deficiency: If you suffer from any problems related to nervous system, such as irritability, depression, nausea, or fatigue, then it could be due to the deficiency of vitamin B5 which is responsible for maintaining good health of your nerves.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) Deficiency And Overdose: Vitamin profile informs you about inadequate levels of vitamin B6 that may make you suffer from muscular and nerve failure. An excess of the vitamin may lead to impaired brain functioning, numb feet, and poor hand coordination.
• Biotin Deficiency: Muscular pain, dermatitis, and depression are some of the symptoms of biotin deficiency, which may get reflected in your vitamin profile
• Lack Or Excess Of Vitamin K: If you suffer from excessive bleeding due to injuries or bruises, it could be due to the deficiency of vitamin K. When you have excess of this vitamin, you may suffer from haemolytic anemia and potential liver damage.
• Vitamin D3 Deficiency and Overdose: When you develop weak bones, it could be due to vitamin D3 deficiency. Stomach problems and lethargy are the health concerns that you could suffer from due to excess of this vitamin.
• Deficiency Of Folate: Anaemia, digestive problems, and complications in pregnancy occur due to folate deficiency. Going for vitamin tests will inform you about it in detail.
• Vitamin C Deficiency And Overdose: Poor immunity, weakness, bleeding gums, and poor healing of wounds are some of the concerns that you may suffer due to lack of vitamin C. Excess of it can lead to stomach problems.
• Deficiency Of Vitamin E: Inadequate amounts of vitamin E can hamper your health. You may suffer from anaemia, problems of the pancreas, and diarrhoea due to it.

So, make no delay and get your vitamin profile done at the earliest to enjoy a healthy and happy life. Get in touch with Portea to avail Vitamin tests at the comfort of your home.

Manjiri Kochrekar

Manjiri loves to explore various facts, ideas, and aspects of life and pen them down in her own words. Writing is her passion, which means she enjoys writing on a vast variety of subjects, and health care is just one among her several specialty areas. She works closely with the Portea Health care team to churn out informative health content.