You can read a lot more on testing vitamins and minerals here - it's a minefield!

This is a toughie because it depends what you want. Each test seems to have a different collection of nutrients, of course! In general, I would go for the Genova Elemental Analysis Test, which measures the key minerals and toxic metals in the correct forms (rare!). You can order that here or direct using my code A42RS. For vitamins, choose TDL’s Vitamin Profile 2. This is costly because it is a special process - and not easy - to test the correct active forms of B vits, active B12, red cell folate etc. Then, add on anything else you need using the ideas I’ve given below. If you just need fat soluble vitamins, Viva do one, which you can order direct using my code PHC1 or on the shop. That covers alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, alpha-lycopene, beta-lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin D3 (25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol) vitamin K1 (phylloquinone, phytonadione), vitamin K2, CoQ10.

Alternatively, use functional profiles. I love the Genova Metabolomix urine test or Nutreval, depending how comprehensive you want to be. You can order those here or using my code A42RS at Genova. The nice thing about these is they give you a suggested corrective protocol – all the hard work’s done for you!

Heavy Metal Testing

Nowadays, I think Quicksilver Lab is the best at this. Use their blood metals panel or the Mercury Tri-test if mercury is all you need or you need to dig deeper to see if any mercury showing up is actually needing treatment or not. This is because it is the only test I know of that can differentiate between the types of mercury. ie. is it coming from your amalgams (the most damaging type: inorganic mercury) or fish/seafood (methyl mercury)? And it will also measure how effectively you are detoxifying it.

A hair test can show mostly methyl levels (fish) but a bit of swallowed amalgam mercury. Challenge tests, which can mobilise mercury before you are ready to detox it are thankfully no longer necessary. Blood tests will also measure mainly methyl/fish again. Urine tests all inorganic (amalgam) mercury. With the Tri-test, you get to measure all of it so much easier! You can see the collection instructions here and a sample report here. The Tri-Test can also be done on children – obviously bear in mind it needs a blood sample, not fingerprick, so very young children may not like that much!

You can read much more about this on my Mercury Factsheet. If you prefer a hair test, use the Doctor's Data one from RG or I have listed the Mineral Check ones for you. You can do a Full report or a Retest report which compares your previous scores with the current ones tested. You can see the Mineral Check sample report here.

Specific Nutrients

Ensuring Vitamin D is becoming more and more crucial. You can do a simple 25-OH fingerprick Vitamin D test. Order on the shop here, or direct with that link.

Another useful addition is Fatty Acids, too if necessary (ie. especially fatigue, inflammation, pain, neurological, hormone issues present). You can get much more complex fatty acid testing too but this, I think, is enough for most needs. This is a red cell test, which is the most effective way of testing. You can order that direct from that link or on the shop here.

An extra word on Anaemia and B12 testing. This is surprisingly tough to find. Use the TDL Anaemia Profile, which includes active B12 (serum can be misleading) and red cell folate (ditto) as well as the usual iron panel markers. Even better, it includes ESR because inflammation can make a difference to what the ferritin levels do.

Those of you on statins should be checking your CoQ10 levels since those meds are known to deplete this important DNA, heart, energy and brain nutrient. A lack of CoQ10 is also thought to be a possible cause of the common muscle pain side effects.

Finally, there can be some genetic reasons why some people struggle with certain nutrients. I found, for example, that I have a weakness on absorbing Vitamin D from sunlight – who knew?!

Here, you might like to do the Optimal Health Pro (use Micki Rose as practitioner to order) or order it on the shop here. Simply fascinating – and more importantly, give you some real clues as to what ‘weaknesses’ you may have that you can address and prevent issues from in future. Caveat though: just because you have the SNP on a gene does not mean you will get a problem. But it does answer some questions for some people – like WHY CAN’T I LOSE WEIGHT?!!

The Optimal Health Pro gives a really good overview and a fantastic report using information on your diet and lifestyle too that you supply – which makes sense of the results in the most key areas for you. You can then go through each element that shows up and do stuff about it – work with a practitioner who will guide you. Look at the sample report – all 47 pages of it; I love this one!