Minerals - What is it?
This blood test measures six different minerals in the blood. Minerals and vitamins function as building blocks for certain essential processes in our body, helping us feel fit and healthy. Minerals are also found in food supplements, and this blood test allows you to evaluate the effect of these supplements on your health.What do we determine?
Sodium
Sodium is a metal that occurs as a salt compound in our body. It maintains a good balance in the electrical potential of cells. An excess of sodium can cause problems such as confusion or feeling unwell. A sodium deficiency in the blood can cause more severe damage over time, such as serious confusion, brain damage, and drowsiness. Deficiency can have various causes, such as certain disease processes, excessive water intake, use of diuretics, diabetes insipidus, or diabetes mellitus. A deficiency must be corrected properly and timely, as there is a risk of cerebral edema.Potassium
Potassium, like sodium, plays a role in the household of cells and tissues. A potassium deficiency can be caused by insulin, medications, alcohol withdrawal, etc. It can lead to muscle cramps, heart rhythm abnormalities, and gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). An excess of potassium is usually only due to medication, with muscle weakness, tingling, and paralysis as the main symptoms.Albumin
Albumin is a large protein that often binds other (toxic) substances in the blood. It acts as a guard, carrying harmful substances in the blood until they reach their destination, often the liver. That's why we also call it a chaperone protein. Albumin gives us an idea of how the kidney function works and whether the toxic substances in the blood are being made harmless and bound to albumin.Magnesium
Magnesium plays an important role in alertness, muscle strength, and heart rhythm. A magnesium deficiency is often secondary to a deficiency of potassium or calcium. That's why we always test for these as well. A magnesium deficiency can be caused by medications such as antibiotics, gastrointestinal complaints like diarrhea, kidney abnormalities, and alcohol abuse. A deficiency of magnesium in the blood causes muscle weakness, tremors, and heart rhythm disorders. An excess is rare and involves nausea and sluggishness.Calcium
Calcium plays a role in strong bones and electrical conduction in muscles, particularly the heart muscle. It also plays a role in the conduction of the nervous system. A deficiency can occur due to:- Vitamin D deficiency
- Parathyroid disorder
- Kidney disorder
- Malabsorption
- Magnesium deficiency
Iron
Iron plays a role in the oxygen supply and removal by red blood cells through the production of hemoglobin. It also plays a role in defense. If you quickly become tired, short of breath, and have restless legs, you might have an iron deficiency. Anemia due to iron deficiency is most common in women of childbearing age.Testing on an empty stomach?
For this test, it is necessary to be fasting. So, do not eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours beforehand.When to choose this test?
Choose the mineral blood test when:- You want to know the effect of mineral supplements
- You have been feeling tired for a while and think it could be due to an iron deficiency
- You have symptoms of muscle twitching, lethargy, low energy, or restless legs
- You want to know if tingling or confusion is due to a mineral deficiency
- You are a woman of childbearing age and a vegan who periodically feels tired
When to test?
It is advised to take this test once if you have the symptoms described above. In case of persistent complaints or abnormal values, we will look further into other rarer causes.How accurate is the Mineralen blood test?
The accuracy of the test for Mineralen is conducted through ISO-certified laboratories. The accuracy of a test method is expressed in terms of specificity and sensitivity. However, the most important aspect is that the results are interpreted and accepted among general practitioners and hospitals. This is the case with our venous samples. Mutual acceptance may not always be present due to potentially reduced reliability with a capillary sample.
How long does it take to receive the results of a Mineralen blood test?
Most tests generally take 24-48 hours. Tests that go through an LC-MS method generally take longer, think about an average of 3-7 working days. Additionally, it also depends on the location. Some locations do the analysis themselves and others outsource it to another lab.
How do I interpret the results of a Mineralen blood test?
Interpreting the results of Mineralen is not always easy and should be seen in the broader picture, along with anamnesis and physical examination. In the doctor's advice section, the query in which you can already outline your complaints is taken into account, otherwise, the results are interpreted in conjunction with the other results. If necessary, the doctor can call to ask about physical abnormalities. You don't have to interpret the results yourself because there is always advice and explanation from the doctor.
What should I do if my results from a Mineralen blood test are abnormal?
If the results of the test for Mineralen are clinically significantly abnormal, the doctor will contact you by phone. If you are not reachable, you will receive an email. This includes advice and an explanation of the abnormal results and what you can do about them. If you need a prescription or referral, we can help with that.
How much does a Mineralen blood test cost? Is it covered by insurance?
The costs of Mineralen can be found on the product page. Depending on your insurance and additional packages, you may be reimbursed for these costs for Mineralen. For example, tests for IVF treatment are often reimbursed. After your order, you will receive an invoice that you can submit to your insurance.
How can I order a Mineralen blood test?
The ordering process is easy. You can add a Mineralen test or the tests you want to your shopping cart. In step two, you fill in your details and pay. Then you will receive an email confirmation and you can go to a collection location. After you have been there, you will receive the results of the Mineralen test in your Portal.
Is my data safe when I get a Mineralen blood test?
We are certified-ready according to the NEN 7510 and 7512 standards for secure data transfer in healthcare. The Portal is secured with two-factor authentication. Your data is also encrypted. We do not send the results of Mineralen to third parties without permission, not even to your general practitioner without your consent.
Do I need to visit a clinic for a Mineralen blood test, or can it be done remotely?
The blood test for Mineralen must take place at one of the collection locations we provide. At certain locations, it is possible for a phlebotomist to come to you. You can indicate this during checkout. An appointment will then be made as soon as possible to come to your home.
Is fasting required before I get a Mineralen blood test?
No, fasting is not required for a Mineralen test
How do I book an appointment for Mineralen blood test?
You can easily make an appointment for Mineralen blood test after your order in your Portal. You can visit almost daily in all major cities in the Netherlands. In smaller cities, you can visit on certain days. At certain locations, it is also possible to visit on weekends.
Is a doctor's interpretation included in a Mineralen blood test?
An interpretation by a doctor or an explanation is included in the Mineralen test. The explanation takes into account the query that you can specify in your Portal after ordering.
How does a Mineralen blood test differ from over-the-counter tests?
For blood tests, we always use venous sampling. This is the gold standard for blood collection. Over-the-counter tests, such as a finger prick test, use the capillary route for blood collection. These do not always give the same results and the accuracy depends on how, where, and with which technique the collection is done. The advantage, of course, is that the test is easier and less painful to take.
What payment options are available for a Mineralen blood test?
You can always pay with iDeal and credit card (VISA, Mastercard, and Amex). This also includes Apple Pay. The phlebotomists at the collection location cannot accept cash payments.
Are the results of a Mineralen blood test shareable with my doctor?
The results of Labplusarts can be shared with your general practitioner at your request. However, you can also easily arrange this yourself by downloading the result in PDF format. Because we use comparable test methods as the general practitioner, the results are interchangeable and comparable so that comparisons can be made well.
