Red blood cell (RBC) analysis is an invaluable diagnostic method for assessing insufficiency or excess of elements that have important functions within cells or on blood cell membranes. An important feature is that the cells are not washed, because this would result in partial loss of some important elements that bind to the plasma membrane, for example, calcium.
RBC element levels are very useful for assessing: cardiotonic influences (magnesium, potassium); anti-inflammatory processes (selenium, copper, zinc); anemia (copper, iron); immunological function (zinc, copper, magnesium), and glucose tolerance (chromium, manganese, and possibly vanadium). Disorders specifically associated with zinc deficiency also are addressed by this analysis. These disorders include loss of visual acuity, dysgeusia, dermatitis and poor wound healing, alopecia, amino acid malabsorption, sexual impotence, decreased production of testosterone, depressed immune function, and growth retardation.
Accurate assessment of essential element status is highly recommended for the determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and, although essential, excess assimilation or retention of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects. RBC element analysis is also useful for the assessment of ongoing or very recent EXPOSURE to specific toxic elements that accumulate preferentially in erythrocytes. These toxic elements include arsenic, cadmium, lead, methylmercury and thallium. It is important to keep in mind that elevated levels of the toxic elements in these cells reflect only recent or ongoing exposure and do not provide information about the net retention of the metals in the body.
RBC element analysis should be performed prior to and intermittently throughout the course of detoxification/chelation therapy. Monitoring essential element status is necessary to identify needs for and effectiveness of supplementation. Replacement and maintenance of adequate levels of essential nutrients can markedly reduce the apparent adverse “side effects” associated with the use of detoxification agents, per se, and the general effects of mobilization of toxic elements. It is important to note that some diseases are associated with abnormal levels of blood cell elements that could be misleading with respect to nutritional status. For example, blood cell copper can be temporarily elevated during inflammatory response while liver levels are not.
Instructions for collecting bloodwork
This test requires no special diet but please refrain from taking non-essential
medications, and dietary supplements that contain minerals for 72 hours
prior to the specimen collection, unless otherwise instructed by your
physician. Never discontinue prescription medications without first
consulting your physician.
It is recommended that the blood be drawn before breakfast after an overnight fast. Other collection times can cause deviations in patient results.
You will receive a draw kit box in the mail, contact your nearest www.LabCorp.com location to have your blood drawn. They will follow the instruction in the box. Fill out the DHL return shipping label and patient lab requisition form. After they have finished drawing your blood, either you or they will package it up in the same box and contact DHL for pickup 800-225-5345.
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