Introduction
Different biochemical methods of assessment of dietary status can provide data
that may reflect a person's recent dietary intake or long-term intake, or it may
not reflect intake at all. Many variables can affect nutrient levels in body
fluids. These include activity level, stress, age, gender, and the status of
other nutrients. There is no one definitive value that correctly identifies an
actual deficiency state and it is not always clear if a deficiency state is due
to that nutrient or some other metabolic alteration that can cause an abnormal
level. A good test should be sensitive to changes in status of a nutrient and
be minimally influenced by other factors.
This section describes various biochemical tests of selected nutrients.
Clinical nutrition assessment, as done in hospitalized settings, is described
here, although it is performed using a combination of methods.
