Nutrition Detective Foundation Panel

Our lab tests are currently available only in the United States. 

If you’re located outside the U.S., please email ashleyc@nutritiondetective.com with any questions.

Our blood testing is done only through LabCorp. We will email you a blood work order to print out.

What’s Included:

• Copper, Serum
• Zinc, Plasma
• Ferritin
• Vitamin A (Retinol, Serum)

This is Dr. Smith’s foundational lab panel for people working within the Toxic Bile Paradigm and the Love Your Liver Program.

Routine bloodwork often looks “normal” while critical toxicities and nutrient deficiencies are being missed. This panel gives you a practical baseline for evaluating mineral balance, iron storage, and vitamin A status without ordering dozens of tests you may not need.

It includes serum copper, plasma zinc, ferritin, and serum retinol. Together, these markers can provide useful clues about copper excess, zinc deficiency, iron deficiency or overload, and abnormal vitamin A status.

Who should consider this panel?
This panel may be useful if you have persistent or unexplained symptoms involving energy, mood, skin, hair, digestion, hormones, neurologic function, or exercise tolerance.

Possible copper toxicity symptoms

• Fatigue, brain fog, poor concentration, or headaches
• Anxiety, irritability, mood changes, or feeling overstimulated
• Sleep problems
• Nausea, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, or metallic taste
• Menstrual, hormonal, or libido changes
• Liver concerns
• Significant copper intake, supplementation, or environmental exposure

Possible zinc deficiency symptoms

• Low testosterone, low libido, fertility concerns, or impaired reproductive function
• Poor wound healing, frequent infections, or reduced immune resilience
• Hair thinning, dry or irritated skin, acne, or nail changes
• Reduced taste or smell and poor appetite
• Diarrhea or other persistent digestive problems
• Poor growth, recovery, or tissue repair
• Possible iron overload / high ferritin concerns
• Persistent fatigue or joint pain
• Abdominal discomfort or liver abnormalities
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Low libido, erectile problems, or low testosterone
• Blood sugar abnormalities
• Heart rhythm or cardiomyopathy concerns
• Repeatedly elevated ferritin or iron saturation
• Family history of hemochromatosis or repeated blood transfusions

Possible iron deficiency / low ferritin symptoms

• Fatigue, weakness, low stamina, or poor exercise tolerance
• Shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, or palpitations
• Feeling cold easily or having cold hands and feet
• Restless legs
• Hair shedding, brittle nails, or pale skin
• Brain fog or poor concentration
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Craving ice or other non-food substances
  
  

Possible vitamin A toxicity symptoms

• Headaches, dizziness, nausea, or appetite loss
• Fatigue or irritability
• Dry or peeling skin, dry lips, or hair loss
• Bone, joint, or muscle pain
• Blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Liver abnormalities or elevated liver enzymes
• Long-term use of vitamin A supplements, retinoid medications, or high-vitamin-A foods

What can this panel help investigate?
This panel can provide useful information when evaluating:

• Copper toxicity
• Zinc deficiency
• Copper-zinc imbalance
• Iron overload or hemochromatosis-related patterns
• Low ferritin
• Iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia
• Vitamin A toxicity

This panel is intentionally focused and is designed to give you a strong starting point. If your results suggest a deeper investigation is warranted, additional panels may be added to look more deeply into copper, vitamin A, iron, thyroid function, hormones, kidney function, glucose regulation, inflammation, toxic metals, and other areas.

Before the Blood Draw:

• Fasting: An overnight fast is suggested. Water is fine.
• Best time of day: Morning is preferred.
• Menstrual Cycle Timing: No specific cycle day is required.
• Supplements: Stop all zinc-containing supplement(s) for 48 hours prior to your planned testing time. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before testing. Labcorp specifically instructs that serum vitamin A should be collected before breakfast in the morning. You may take your morning supplements after the blood draw.
• Medications: You may take your morning medications after the blood draw. Blood *donations*: Please allow at least 30 days between your most recent blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy and ferritin testing.