In principle, it makes sense to carry out a regular energy check at any age to ensure that there is no vitamin deficiency. This is also known as a preventive measure that helps to maintain long-term health.

Some lifestyles and health conditions favour a vitamin deficiency or lead to the body having an above-average need for vitamins. These are

• Vegetarian or vegan diet
• An unbalanced diet
• Chronic stress
• Lack of sleep
• Shortness of breath and dizziness
• Sporting activities
• Intestinal diseases
• Inflammatory diseases in general (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
• Regular consumption of alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Menopause

The energy check is urgently recommended if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Tiredness and exhaustion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Susceptibility to infections or a poor immune system
• Sleep problems
• Recommendation of a medical specialist

In addition, the values determined in the energy check and any vitamin and trace element supplementation can help to optimise performance in sport.

The energy check consists of two appointments. At the first appointment, the specialist at the pharmacy will clarify your risk potential with you in an anamnesis interview. This can be determined on the basis of your lifestyle, such as a vegetarian diet, and various symptoms, such as persistent tiredness. A detailed list of symptoms that indicate a vitamin deficiency and lifestyles that favour this can be found under "When is an energy check recommended?". In addition, blood is taken from the fingertip at the first appointment. This is then sent to a partner laboratory, which tests the levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin D3.

The laboratory's test results are available approximately two days after the blood sample is taken. A follow-up appointment to discuss the results is arranged immediately after the blood sample is taken. At this meeting, the specialist at the pharmacy will categorise your blood results and explain the possible consequences. In addition, where necessary, a personalised treatment plan with dietary supplements or vitamin supplements will be defined.

In the case of an acute vitamin deficiency, we recommend repeating the energy check after about three months of treatment to ensure that the treatment plan is working and that your body is absorbing the vitamins it needs.
 

Yes, the energy check can also be carried out if vitamins are being substituted. However, this can falsify the test result. To ensure that the test results are accurate, we recommend that you stop taking food supplements, vitamin tablets, etc. at least one week before your first blood test appointment. Be sure to tell your pharmacist or pharmaceutical assistant during the initial clarification that you have already taken vitamin supplements.

The Rotpunkt pharmacy guide "Vitamin deficiency" is a good starting point for more detailed information and provides further links.