Test Overview of SpectraCell FIA Micronutrient Blood Panel
The SpectraCell FIA test is an interesting test for evaluating functional status of many different nutrients. It is based in the principle that if blood cells (white blood cells in particular) are isolated and placed in various growth media that have all necessary nutrients except for one nutrient at a time, poor growth of the cells in that media suggests low functional body stores of that missing nutrient; on the other hand, if the cells continue to grow normally in the nutrient-deficient media, then it is concluded that the intracellular stores of that nutrient are not deficient.
This test is covered by Medicare (with certain restrictions) as well as most private insurance
plans (but not by Obamacare, Medicaid, or AHCCCS).
This test is most useful in cases where it is suspected that nutrients are either not being
absorbed or are not being utilized, especially due to genetic variation. It is also very
cost-effective when multiple analyates (vitamins/minerals/etc) are of interest.
This test is usefully combined with other functional tests of metabolism, such as:
Certain tests require appropriate diagnoses when submitted to Medicare for payment:
Unless specifically noted above, references used in the construction of this web
page include the following:
[FMU]
Lecture notes from Functional Medicine University.
[SCNM]
Lecture notes from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine.
[UT]
Lecture notes from the University of Tennessee graduate programs in
Chemistry, Microbiology, and Biochemistry.Test Indications of SpectraCell FIA Micronutrient Blood Panel
ICD-10 CODES for SpectraCell FIA Micronutrient Blood Panel
Test ICD-10 Diagnosis Carnitine
D63.1 Anemia in chronic kidney disease E71.40 Disorder of carnitine metabolism, unspecified E71.41 Primary carnitine deficiency E71.43 Iatrogenic carnitine deficiency E71.448 Other secondary carnitine deficiency Folate
D52.8 Other folate deficiency anemias D53.9 Nutritional anemia, unspecified (Macrocytic anemia) K90.9 Intestinal malabsorption, unspecified R27.9 Unspecified lack of coordination R68.89 Other general symptoms and signs (abnormal lab, multiple somatic complaints, throat clearing = hawking) Vitamin B6
E53.1 Pyridoxine deficiency (dermatitis, glossitis, cheilosis,
stomatitis, anemia, irritability, weakness, depression,
dizziness, peripheral neuropathy, and seizures.
Deficiency can be caused by malabsorption, certain drugs, such as isoniazid,
alcoholism) G25.70 Drug induced movement disorder, unspecified G25.89 Other specified extrapyramidal and movement disorders G25.9 Extrapyramidal and movement disorder, unspecified G60.9 Hereditary and idiopathic neuropathy, unspecified Vitamin B12
D51.3 Other dietary vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (vegans) D51.8 Other vitamin B12 deficiency anemias E41 Nutritional marasmus E43 Unspecified severe protein-calorie malnutrition E53.8 Deficiency of other specified B group vitamins
(Biotin, Cyanocobalamin, Folate, Folic acid, Pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12
except folate/B12 anemia) Vitamin D3
E21.3 Hyperparathyroidism, unspecified (increased level of calcium in
the blood; Symptoms include bone pain and kidney problems) E55.9 Vitamin D deficiency, unspecified E83.51 Hypocalcemia M81.8 Other osteoporosis without current pathological fracture M83.9 Adult osteomalacia, unspecified References regarding SpectraCell FIA Micronutrient Blood Panel