Minerals & Trace Elements
Category Overview
Minerals & Trace Elements are inorganic nutrients required for normal physiological function. They play essential roles in enzyme activity, immune defense, hormone signaling, bone integrity, neurological function, antioxidant systems, and cellular metabolism. Unlike vitamins, minerals are elements and cannot be synthesized by the body.
This category includes both macrominerals (needed in larger amounts) and trace elements (needed in smaller amounts but equally critical for health).
What This Category Covers
This category is designed to group laboratory biomarkers that assess:
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Nutritional mineral status
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Absorption and utilization
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Deficiency or excess states
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Mineral balance and interactions (e.g., zinc–copper)
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Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, or malabsorption impacts
Biomarkers may be measured in serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, hair, or stool, depending on clinical context.
Common Biomarkers in This Category
Trace Elements
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Zinc (Serum / Plasma / Whole Blood)
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Copper
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Selenium
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Iodine
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Chromium
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Manganese
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Molybdenum
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Cobalt
Macrominerals
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Magnesium
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Calcium
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Phosphorus
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Potassium
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Sodium
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Chloride
Clinical Relevance
Abnormal mineral or trace element levels may be associated with:
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Immune dysfunction and infection risk
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Fatigue and low energy
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Hair loss, skin changes, and poor wound healing
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Thyroid dysfunction (iodine, selenium)
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Neurological symptoms (magnesium, manganese)
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Cardiovascular and bone health issues
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Gastrointestinal malabsorption or chronic inflammation
Because many minerals compete for absorption or share transport pathways, interpretation often requires context, including diet, supplementation, gut health, inflammation, and related biomarkers.
Testing Considerations
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Serum vs. Plasma: Some minerals (e.g., zinc) may vary depending on specimen type and collection conditions.
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Fasting status: Can influence results for certain minerals.
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Inflammation: Acute-phase responses can artificially lower circulating levels (notably zinc and iron).
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Supplement use: Should always be considered when interpreting results.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Chromium, Plasma
The Chromium, Plasma test is a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing chromium levels in the body. It plays a critical role in monitoring both deficiency and toxicity, particularly in individuals with metabolic disorders, those at risk of environment
Learn moreCopper serum is one of the diagnostic methods of ascertaining whether a patient is suffering from some kind of liver problem or from a genetic disease called Wilson’s disease.
Learn moreIodine, Serum/Plasma
Iodine is an essential element that is required for thyroid hormone production.
Learn more- Manganese is an important factor in many critical biochemical processes including antioxidant function. - Manganese is a mineral element that is both nutritionally essential and has the potential to be very toxic. This fact is further complicate
Learn moreManganese, Blood
Blood manganese testing provides crucial information about manganese status in your body. Understanding test results helps manage both deficiency and toxicity risks. Regular monitoring is essential for at-risk individuals and those with related healt
Learn moreManganese, Plasma
Toxic exposure may occur from dry cells, fungicide (maneb), and in the steel industry or chemical industry. Manganese is present in the coloring agents for glass and soap, in paints, varnish, enamel, and in linoleum. It is used in the manufacture of
Learn moreManganese, RBC
The Manganese (Mn) content in the adult human is 11.0 to 23 ng/mL. About 25% is stored in the skeleton. Within each cell, Manganese is concentrated in the mitochondria. Bone, liver, and pancreas tend to have the highest concentrations. Mn is an im
Learn moreMolybdenum, Blood
Monitoring molybdenum levels in the blood is crucial for ensuring proper enzyme function, detoxification, and overall metabolic health. While deficiencies are rare, they can have serious consequences. Conversely, excess molybdenum can lead to toxicit
Learn moreSelenium
Selenium, a trace element essential for human health, plays a critical role in various physiological processes and is commonly assessed through its concentration in serum. As an integral component of selenoproteins, selenium is pivotal in antioxidant
Learn moreSelenium, Serum/Plasma
Selenium is a vital micronutrient with broad roles in health, including antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone regulation, and immune function. Monitoring selenium levels through the Selenium, Serum/Plasma test is important for identifying deficiencies
Learn moreZinc, Plasma or Serum
In healthy individuals, plasma or serum zinc are reliable markers of zinc status, mainly reflecting zinc intake. Because the effective regulation of zinc homeostasis buffers the functional response to dietary deficiency and excess, plasma zinc levels
Learn more