My new doctor recently had me do the Spectracell blood test to help determine nutritional deficiencies. I found it very helpful and wonder why more doctors don't use this test.

For one thing, some prescription drugs lower certain nutrient levels. I believe statins lower the level of CoQ10, for example.

I developed Type 1 Diabetes 5 years ago at 47 years of age and had learned over time that I could not take Omega 3 supplements without taking insulin. I mentioned this to all my health practitioners over the years and no one knew what would cause that. Then I read that carnitine helps with fatty acid metabolism and started taking it, thinking that might be the ticket.

Guess what one nutrient I showed up as deficient in? Yep, carnitine.

My doctor said that I am one of 2 diabetic patients she has that has good antioxidant levels. I attribute it to all the raw veggies I eat and some good supplements too. Oh, I had been low on Vitamin D before but taking Vitamin D3 has brought it back up to normal levels. Yeah!

Has anyone else found this blood test helpful?

I have never had the test but I am going to request it at my next blood test to see if it could help me. We recently discovered I have an under-active thyroid and am borderline anemic. I try to supplement, but seem to always wind up with a prescription for something new. It can be aggravating.

I asked a friend who has some thyroid & anemia issues (I think the anemia is resolved and the thyroid is getting much better) and she has done a lot of research into natural alternatives. Here is her reply:

If she hasn’t already started on thyroid medication, then I’d refer her to the Mercola Moderator's Note: affiliate link removed
site. I wish I had tried to boost my thyroid function before I started on medication. I didn’t know any better then. If she has already started on it, then this site is a good start,Moderator's Note: affiliate link removed
. Here is one that has links to different forums as well as good general information, Moderator's Note: affiliate link removed

If her anemia is iron deficiency anemia and her doctor recommends taking an iron supplement, this is the one I am trying now that agrees with me better than the previous two, Moderator's Note: affiliate link removed
. I’ll know how effective it is in a few weeks when I get retested. I think it is working because the heart palpitations have stopped and my energy level has improved.
Hope that helps. There are lots of thyroid forums … enough to be confusing.

Where can you take this spectracell test?

Since it seems I cannot include links in my postings without them being deleted (even though they are not affiliate links), I will not provide any links about Spectracell testing.

You can google for it though and read up on it. Maybe you can call their lab and ask them what local doctors use their test or just take the info to your doctor and ask to have it done. Lastly, maybe you can have the test done directly through the lab and have the results sent to yourself and your doctor.

Good luck.

Thanks for that info karennd. I would search it on Google.

Is this expensive?

fjoones - 18 March 2009 11:13 PM

Where can you take this spectracell test?

Ask your physician. The SpectraCell laboratory is located in Houston, Tx but serves the entire United States and several foreign countries. It has a partnership with Any Lab Test Now, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia but has franchises throughout.

mcavoy111 - 08 June 2009 11:37 PM

Is this expensive?

The cost is based on the test you want performed.