Understanding Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in Health Check Ups

Vitamin and mineral tests are a popular part of many private health screenings. They’re often included in private full body health MOTs and are especially useful if you’ve been feeling tired, low in energy, or not quite yourself. But what do these tests actually check for? And how reliable are they?

Why Do Health Screens Test for Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies?

Vitamins and minerals help your body work properly. They support everything from your immune system and energy levels to brain function, skin health, and strong bones.

If you’re low in certain nutrients, you might feel:

• Tired all the time
• Low in mood or easily stressed
• Weak or dizzy
• Prone to getting sick
• Like your brain is foggy or slow

Lots of private health check ups, depending on the package you choose, include these tests to look for any issues. Even if you don’t have clear symptoms, it can sometimes be helpful to know if your body is running low on something important.

What Are the Most Common Deficiencies Checked?

Private health screens in the UK often check for the most common vitamin and mineral shortages. Here are a few you might see in your results:

1. Vitamin D

• Helps keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy
• Supports the immune system
• Low levels can make you feel tired, achy, or down
• Many people in the UK are low in vitamin D, especially in winter

2. Vitamin B12

• Helps with energy, brain function, and making red blood cells
• A lack of B12 can cause tiredness, memory problems, or tingling in the hands and feet
• People who eat little or no meat are more likely to be low in B12

3. Iron (and Ferritin)

• Iron is used to make red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body
• Ferritin shows how much iron is stored in your body
• Low iron can cause anaemia, which makes you feel weak, tired, or short of breath

4. Folate (Vitamin B9)

• Important for making healthy red blood cells
• Helps with growth, especially during pregnancy
• Low folate can lead to similar symptoms as low iron

5. Magnesium

• Helps muscles and nerves work properly
• Supports sleep, energy, and heart health
• Low levels might cause cramps, restlessness, or trouble sleeping

6. Calcium

• Key for strong bones and teeth
• Also helps muscles, nerves, and heart work properly
• Too little can lead to weak bones over time

7. Zinc & Selenium

• Help your immune system, skin, and wound healing
• Zinc also supports growth and smell/taste
• Selenium helps your thyroid and protects cells from damage

What Causes Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies?

There are lots of reasons why someone might be low in a vitamin or mineral. Common causes include:

• Poor diet: Not eating enough fresh fruits, vegetables, or other nutrient-rich foods
• Absorption problems: Conditions like coeliac disease, IBS, or Crohn’s can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients properly
• Not enough sun: Your body makes vitamin D from sunlight, so it can drop in winter or if you spend a lot of time indoors
• Medication: Some medicines affect how your body uses or absorbs nutrients
• Special diets: Vegans or vegetarians may be low in B12, iron, or zinc if they’re not careful with their food choices
• Stress: Long-term stress can lower levels of some nutrients, especially magnesium and B vitamins

How Reliable Are Vitamin and Mineral Tests?

This is where things get interesting. While blood tests for vitamins and minerals can be useful, they’re not always 100% reliable. Here’s why:

• Results can vary by day: The amount of a nutrient in your blood can change based on what you ate, how hydrated you are, or even the time of day.
• Some vitamins are stored in tissues, not blood: For example, B12 levels in the blood might look normal even if your body isn’t using it properly.
• Different labs use different methods: This can lead to slightly different results depending on where your test was processed.

So, if your test shows that you’re low in something, it’s important not to panic. One low result doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong. It’s best to look at the bigger picture: how you feel, your lifestyle, and discuss with the doctor who undertook your health check up to see if they think more tests are needed.

Should You Act on a Deficiency Right Away?

Not always. If a test shows you’re low in a vitamin or mineral, the best first step is to talk to a healthcare professional. They can help you decide:

• Whether the result is accurate or needs to be re-checked
• If your symptoms match the result
• Whether to try supplements, change your diet, or look into other possible causes

In many cases, a small change in your eating habits or a short course of supplements can make a big difference. But it’s always better to do this with proper advice, not just guesswork.