Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Jackson, M. J
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Jackson, M. J
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

British Medical Bulletin 55:634-642 (1999)
© 1999 The British Council

research-article

Diagnosis and detection of deficiencies of micronutrients: minerals

Malcolm J Jackson

Department of Medicine, University of liverpool Liverpool, UK

Correspondence to: Prof. Malcolm J Jackson, Department of Medicine, The Duncan Building, University of Liverpool, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK

Abstract

Determination of the presence or absence of a deficiency of one or more of the micronutrient minerals (usually described as trace elements) can be a complex problem, frequently requiring the integration of clinical, nutritional and biochemical data. Almost invariably, laboratory investigations are required and this short review describes the more common techniques applied for the various essential trace elements. Using a combination of techniques it is usually possible to determine, with confidence, whether an individual subject or small groups of subjects have a deficiency of a specific trace elements, but simple reliable tests which can be used in population studies are still lacking for several key elements. This problem appears most acute for studies of chromium, copper and zinc, deficiencies of which may have important roles in the pathogenesis of a variety of human disorders.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.