Great question, tcoach1. I recently asked similar questions in
this thread.
Is it better to test what's circulating in our blood? What's in our cells? Perhaps what's in our hair? Maybe our stool?
Unfortunately, I don't believe there's a definitive answer, since I've had different practitioners use different tests.
Interpretation of said tests is also important, because I've been told that high levels of something in the hair (
e.g. zinc) might mean it's actually
low in the body, because it's being excreted through the hair.
Also worth considering, I think, is our bodies are constantly changing. Elements are moving in-and-out and things are rising-and-falling. So, any test is just a snapshot in time.
I don't mean to be a downer, I'm just thinking aloud. I've spent thousands of dollars on tests and supplements and I'm not sure they were very helpful.* Maybe they were, though, and I just couldn't correlate it. But, I think whole food trumps supplements in most cases. What's in supplements is almost surely not the same as what's in whole foods.
Do you suspect a particular vitamin/mineral deficiency? Or, are you just being proactive and looking to optimize your nutrient status?
Regards,
The Dude
*In the above comment, I'm mostly referring to vitamin/mineral supplements. I do think some herbal supplements have been helpful.