Red Blood Cell Mineral Panel
Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook
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Test Overview
Red blood cell (RBC) metal analysis gives a current snapshot of functional mineral status as well as toxic metals. Since it measures the mineral content inside blood cells, it gives a better indication of the minerals that the body is actually absorbing and utilizing. Since the average lifetime of RBC is about 4 months, the results reflect an average over the past 4 months [FDM].Test Indications
- First-line test for evaluating nutritional mineral status.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger's Syndrome, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD), and learning disability.
- Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
- Autoimmune disorders, joint pain, and psoriasis.
- Alzheimer's Disease.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
- Environmental toxicity.
- Seizure disorders.
Sample Collection
- Your doctor will draw the blood sample or refer you to a blood draw facility in your area.
- Sample collected in two Royal Blue top tube with EDTA, 4 ml minimum, full tube preferred. Invert 10 times to ensure mixing, centrifuge, and decant.
Your doctor or lab may have different instructions that supersede the above.
Labs Performing Test
| Name of Lab | Lab Code | Estimated Cost | Processing Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Plains | $270+draw fee | Cash discount and some insurance |
Costs cited are subject to change and may be reduced by insurance or cash discounts and increased by sample collection fees.
Theory
Nutritional Metals
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Copper - essential mineral for Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) [FDM].
- Iron
- Magnesium - essential mineral for Phase I detoxification, blood pressure regulation, and cardiac function [FDM]. Deficiency associated with migraine headaches [FDM]. May be depleted by diruetics [FDM].
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Vanadium
- Zinc
Toxic Metals
- Aluminum (Not included in GP panel?) - Associated with Parkinson's Disease [FDM].
- Antimony
- Arsenic - Associated with aplastic anemia [FDM].
- Boron
- Cadmium - Associated with hypertension, cancer, and erectile dysfunction [FDM].
- Lead - Associated with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological diseases [FDM].
- Mercury - Associated with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological diseases and psychologial disorders [FDM].
References
Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web page include the following:[FDM] Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.
[SCNM] Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
[UT] Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
[GP] Great Plains Laboratory Physician Training lecture notes and documentation.
Copyright © 2007-2010 Dr. Weyrich. The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you have a health concern or medical condition, consult a licensed healthcare provider. Dr. Weyrich is licensed by the State of Arizona to practice medicine (license number 07-1008).
This web page is http://www.DrWeyrich.com/labs/rbc_mineral.html - Phone Dr. Weyrich at (480) 423-6952