Step-by-Step Process
Based on our own experience, as well as our experience coaching others, the following steps are helpful in getting your vitamin, mineral and nutrient levels tested.
Steps Involved in Getting Your Vitamin Levels Tested
STEP 1: Research possible vitamin deficiencies, excesses and drug interactions using our Step-By-Step Research Process. Print out this information for your healthcare provider, including a list of your current health conditions, medications and vitamin supplements. Using this knowledge, develop questions to ask on your first appointment (see Your First Visit Page).
STEP 2: Write down your chief complaints (e.g. tiredness, headaches, stomach issues, pain). For a list of healthcare conditions that can be linked to vitamin deficiencies or excesses, see our Overview Page. Your healthcare professional will need specific complaints and details to determine the best possible tests to order and to justify them to your healthcare insurance company.
STEP 3: Find an alternative healthcare provider, ideally one covered by your insurance plan (see Finding a Provider Page). You’ll want to find a provider who, in addition to a medical license that allows them to order laboratory tests in your state, has certification and experience in a field such as: alternative medicine, holistic medicine, integrative medicine, complementary medicine, functional medicine or naturopathic medicine.
STEP 4: Visit that provider, explain your medical complaints, ask appropriate questions and hopefully receive lab orders for vitamin, mineral and other tests (see Your First Visit Page). Then, re-visit that provider to review the test results, get her recommendations and schedule a follow-up visit (see Follow Up Visits Page). Remember to ask for and keep copies of all test results. Also, you may want to request that you be re-tested at a later time to ensure that the additional supplements you have been prescribed or new regimen that was recommended is effective in correcting the deficiencies or excesses that have been found.
Congratulations, your vitamin and nutrient levels should now be in balance!