Nutrient deficiency risk screening
Mark the lifestyle and diet factors that apply to you and see which nutrient deficiencies are likely and which laboratory tests confirm them.
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Calculation
Result
Select at least one factor to see the risk assessment.
Unit: screening points (sum of factor weights), period: current lifestyle. Weights source: risk groups from NIH ODS fact sheets and EFSA DRV.
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How it is calculated
This is a risk checklist, not a diagnosis. Every factor is mapped to the nutrients for which it is listed as a risk factor in the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheets and in EFSA dietary reference value materials. The weight reflects the strength of the link: 3 points for a situation where deficiency is expected without compensation, 2 for a significant factor, 1 for an additional contribution. Points are summed per nutrient: from 2 points the risk is moderate, from 4 it is high.
Formula
Nutrient score = sum of the weights of the selected factors; 0–1 point is low risk, 2–3 moderate, 4 and above high
Limits of the method
The screening relies only on the factors you selected and ignores actual intake, supplement use, genetics and comorbidities. It neither confirms nor rules out a deficiency — nutrient status is determined in the laboratory and interpreted by a physician or nutrition professional.
Sources of the method
This calculation is for reference only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a prescription. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, take medication or have any doubts, discuss the result with a physician or a qualified nutrition professional.
How to screen your nutrient deficiency risks
Mark dietary habits
Identify dietary exclusions such as meat, seafood, or dairy avoidance.
Check lifestyle & medications
Factor in sunlight exposure, intense athletics, and chronic medications like metformin or antacids.
Review lab recommendations
Receive a tailored risk score and the gold-standard diagnostic blood markers for each nutrient.
Key Nutrients of Concern and Laboratory Standards (NIH / EFSA)
| Nutrient | Gold Standard Lab Test | Primary Risk Factors | Dietary Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D | Serum 25(OH)D | Winter, northern latitudes, desk work, covering skin | Fatty fish, cod liver oil, egg yolks, UV synthesis |
| Iron | Ferritin, TIBC, complete blood count | Heavy menses, plant-based diets, frequent blood donation, endurance running | Red meat, organ meats, lentils, spinach |
| Vitamin B12 | Vitamin B12, homocysteine | Vegan/vegetarian, age >60, proton-pump inhibitors, metformin | Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products |
| Magnesium | RBC Magnesium / Serum Magnesium | Chronic stress, alcohol, intense athletics, processed foods | Nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, dark leafy greens |
| Omega-3 | Omega-3 Index (erythrocyte membranes) | Consuming fish less than once weekly | Wild salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, chia seeds |
Evidence-based deficiency repletion principles
Never self-prescribe therapeutic supplement megadoses blindly. Always verify serum levels first with your physician and focus on whole-food nutritional density.
Safety & Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL)
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and heavy trace minerals (iron, zinc) accumulate in body tissues and can reach toxic levels if taken above UL thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
Can this screening replace medical blood tests?
No. NutriFit calculates risk probability based on NIH and EFSA epidemiological data. Definitive deficiency diagnoses require venous blood tests.
Why is serum ferritin better than standard serum iron?
Serum iron fluctuates by 30–50% within a single day based on recent meals. Serum ferritin reflects total long-term bodily iron stores.
Who requires mandatory Vitamin B12 supplementation?
Since B12 is produced by microorganisms and found naturally only in animal products, all vegans and vegetarians require reliable B12 supplements.
Should healthy individuals take daily multivitamins?
Major clinical trials show that indiscriminate multivitamin use does not reduce all-cause mortality. Targeted correction of verified deficits is superior.
How should Vitamin D be tested?
Order a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] test, preferably measured via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
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What next
Formula breakdowns, biomarker reference ranges and nutrition articles with cited sources are in the NutriFit knowledge base.
Go to the knowledge base