Vitamin blood panel: which markers to ask your doctor for?
List of useful biological tests to map your vitamin and mineral intakes. Frequency, price, reimbursement.
Before supplementing blindly, measure. Here are the useful tests, their recommended frequency and their coverage.
The baseline vitamin panel includes CBC-platelets, ferritin, 25(OH) vitamin D - B12, folate and TSH, most prescribable and reimbursed on indication. The extended panel (erythrocyte magnesium, zinc, homocysteine, urinary iodine) is useful if symptomatic but often not reimbursed. Healthy profile: every 2-3 years; at-risk profile: annual panel.
| Marker | Panel | Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| CBC-platelets | Baseline | On prescription |
| Ferritin | Baseline | If symptomatic |
| 25(OH) vitamin D | Baseline | At-risk profiles |
| B12 / Folate | Baseline | At-risk profiles |
| TSH | Baseline | On prescription |
| Erythrocyte Mg, zinc, homocysteine | Extended (if symptomatic) | Often not reimbursed |
'Baseline' panel (annual)
- CBC-platelets (haemoglobin - MCV, platelets), reimbursed on prescription.
- Ferritin, reimbursed if symptomatic.
- 25(OH) vitamin D, reimbursed for at-risk profiles (>65, confirmed deficiency, osteoporosis).
- Serum vitamin B12 and folate, reimbursed on prescription for at-risk profiles.
- TSH (thyroid), reimbursed on prescription.
Extended panel (if symptomatic)
- Erythrocyte magnesium (more reliable than serum).
- Serum zinc.
- Holotranscobalamin (active B12), not reimbursed.
- Plasma homocysteine, not reimbursed.
- Serum copper.
- Urinary iodine.
Frequency
Healthy profile: CBC + ferritin + vitamin D every 2 to 3 years is enough. At-risk profile (vegan, intensive athlete, senior, post-bariatric, polytherapy): annual baseline panel + extended panel every 2 to 3 years.
How to obtain it?
Ask your GP during a consultation. Most baseline markers are easily prescribable. For the extended, non-reimbursed markers, budget €80 to €200 depending on the laboratory.
Go deeper
Public references and official sources
À lire aussi
Frequently asked questions
Which markers to request for a vitamin panel?
The baseline panel: CBC-platelets, ferritin, 25(OH) vitamin D - B12, folate and TSH. The extended panel (erythrocyte magnesium, zinc, homocysteine, urinary iodine) is useful if symptomatic but often not reimbursed.
How often should this panel be done?
Healthy profile: CBC + ferritin + vitamin D every 2 to 3 years. At-risk profile (vegan, intensive athlete, senior, post-bariatric, polytherapy): annual baseline panel and extended panel every 2 to 3 years.
Is this panel reimbursed?
Most baseline markers are prescribable and reimbursed on indication. For the extended, non-reimbursed markers (holotranscobalamin, homocysteine), budget €80 to €200 depending on the laboratory.