SpectraCell Comprehensive Micronutrient Test, Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook

Test Overview of SpectraCell Comprehensive Micronutrient Test

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).

Test Indications of SpectraCell Comprehensive Micronutrient Test

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:

>

Organic Acid Test Panel,
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Urine Amino Acid Panel.

ICD-10 CODES for SpectraCell Comprehensive Micronutrient Test

Certain tests require appropriate diagnoses when submitted to Medicare for payment:

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 Comprehensive Micronutrient Test

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.