What vitamins and minerals do we need to be tested for?

[MyMiracle13]

I know that most of us are taking supplements and minerals to enhance our treatment and boost our immune system. However, I had an experience wherein I was taking Vit B12 for the past 5 years to ward off neuropathy and one day decided to check my Vit B12 levels when I had my routine blood test. It turned out to be very, very high! Upper normal was 838 and mine was 1,312. So I stopped taking VitB12.

Some of us lack magnesium, potassium, calcium, etc. but can someone give us a list of vitamins and minerals we need to have checked before we take supplements? I believe it would be very helpful.

[Tam-56]

I only get tested for potassium and magnesium...do Primary Care docs check these on a routine basis?

[MyMiracle13 in reply to Tam-56]

Thanks for your reply. My onc doesn’t check for these nor other vitamins or minerals that’s why I am doing my own survey.

[mariootsi]

It's up to your primary care to test for vitamin deficiency. At least in my case it turned out to be B12 and D.

That's why I only take what they tell me. She tests me periodically to see where my levels are.

[MyMiracle13 in reply to mariootsi]

I don’t really have a primary care doctor. I just see my oncologist and he doesn’t check me for these but it seems that deficiency in some vitamins and minerals can bring fatigue and even pain.

[mariootsi in reply to MyMiracle13]

So true. I would suggest you find a good primary care doc or palliative care doc. They handle all this stuff.

[nstonerocks]

Good point

[illini9]

My oncologist periodically tests my B and D. We test potassium every month as part of overall clinical chemistry which includes lots of other things. She's very into Vitamin D being above 50 and has on a couple of occasions prescribed me higher doses to keep me there.

[MyMiracle13 in reply to illini9]

Thanks. Your reply is very useful.