Micronutrients

How can deficiencies develop?

A nutrient deficiency rarely arises from a single cause. Usually several things come together: limited absorption in the gut, an increased requirement, a one-sided diet or medication working in the background.

Our task is to untangle these threads before anything is supplemented.

When can this be useful?

✓With persistent tiredness or reduced performance without a clear cause
✓With hair loss, brittle nails or recurring infections
✓With a vegetarian or vegan diet
✓With chronic inflammatory bowel disease or after gastrointestinal surgery
✓When trying to conceive, during pregnancy & while breastfeeding
✓With medication that can affect nutrient absorption
✓Under increased stress
✓For follow-up of a known imbalance

We are glad to advise you individually on whether a micronutrient & nutrition consultation makes sense for you.

Micronutrients
✓Detailed history including all supplements
✓Blood sampling at the practice, on-site laboratory for some values
✓Discussion of the findings in a medical consultation
✓Dietary recommendations with concrete foods
✓Supplementation with follow-up where needed

Please bring all supplements you take, ideally in their original packaging. Some values cannot be assessed meaningfully while supplements are being taken.

Our principles

Targeted

We select values individually & not as a package that applies to everyone.

Food before supplement

Where a gap can be closed through food, we take that route first. We use supplements where there is a medical reason.

Follow-up

After supplementation we usually carry out a follow-up check. We see whether the correction has arrived & can adjust doses precisely.

From symptom to finding

01

First consultation

45 minutes

Complaints, eating habits, previous illnesses & medication, including over-the-counter supplements.

02

Laboratory diagnostics

same day where needed

One blood sample; this appointment rarely needs more.

03

Results consultation

once the values arrive

We put the results in context & explain what they mean & what they do not mean.

04

Correction & follow-up

over weeks to months

Dietary recommendations, targeted supplementation where needed, then a check of the values.

Values that allow a conclusion

The overview below shows which values belong to which area. It is a section of our laboratory diagnostics & not our full panel.

Do get in touch if you cannot find a particular value here.

Blood formation & oxygen transport

Full blood count
Number & condition of all blood cells. The basis of any nutrient assessment.
Ferritin
The storage protein for iron. Shows iron reserves, but also rises with inflammation.
Transferrin saturation
The share of the transport protein carrying iron. Shows the iron currently available.
Vitamin B12, active as holo-TC
The portion bound to transcobalamin. Only this reaches the cells.
Folic acid
Vitamin B9. Needed for cell division & blood formation.

Bones & immune system

Vitamin D, 25-OH
The storage form of vitamin D. Acts on bone metabolism & the immune system.
Calcium & phosphate
The minerals of bone. Tightly regulated by hormones in the blood.
Zinc
A trace element. Building block of many enzymes, important for skin & defence.
Selenium
A trace element. Building block of thyroid & protective enzymes.

Muscles & nerves

Magnesium
A mineral. Important for muscle, nerve & energy metabolism.
Potassium & sodium
The main electrolytes. Regulate fluid balance & nerve conduction.
Vitamin B6
Measured as pyridoxal 5-phosphate. Involved in protein & nerve metabolism.
Vitamin B1
Thiamine. Involved in the energy metabolism of cells.

Frequently asked questions

My values at my GP were unremarkable. Is this still worthwhile?▾

Possibly, but not certainly. Standard panels cover only part of the supply, & whether further measurements are useful depends on your complaints. Sometimes the honest answer is also: no.

How quickly are the results available?▾

Some values are measured by our on-site laboratory during the appointment. More extensive panels go to our partner laboratory & are usually ready for discussion within a few days.

Do I have to come fasting?▾

For some values, yes. You receive clear instructions before the laboratory appointment.

hey dr. schaaf!

I am happy to advise you & answer your questions. Arrange a no-obligation consultation now.

Yours, Dr Lucas Schaaf

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