Work

Establishing reference intervals for venous whole blood micronutrients in the healthy older Chinese population via dried blood spot technology

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background The reference intervals (RIs) for venous whole blood micronutrients are instrumental in evaluating nutritional status within populations. However, research on establishing micronutrient RIs using the simple and efficient dried blood spot (DBS) technique remains scarce. Consequently, this study aims to establish RIs for venous whole blood micronutrients among healthy Chinese older individuals via DBS. Methods Participants were recruited from the general community of Baodi District, Tianjin, northern China. Healthy populations were identified based on the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, physical signs (body mass index and waist circumference), and blood biochemical parameters (serum lipid status and hemoglobin). The micronutrient levels were measured via the DBS technique. For normally distributed data, the RI was calculated as the mean ± 2SD. For non-normally distributed data, the RI is calculated as the 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles. Results This study established RIs for 8 vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 6 , B 9 ) and 5 minerals (Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Se) in healthy older adults. For males, the RIs are as follows: VA (157.76–828.81 ng/mL); VD (8.89–58.32 ng/mL); VE (1.84–13.78 μg/mL); VB 1 (0.19–5.36 ng/mL); VB 2 (0.53–13.84 ng/mL); VB 3 (4.43–13.70 μg/mL); VB 6 (1.09–26.00 ng/mL); VB 9 (1.02–9.48 ng/mL); Mg (27.54–52.99 mg/L); Cu (0.57–1.64 mg/L); Fe (287.00–708.60 mg/L); Zn (4.10–20.85 mg/L); Se (70.57–167.63 μg/L). For females: VA (142.62–755.78 ng/mL); VD (10.10–66.20 ng/mL); VE (1.87–13.43 ng/mL); VB 1 (0.15–4.20 ng/mL); VB 2 (0.61–12.81 ng/mL); VB 3 (4.51–15.53 ng/mL); VB 6 (1.82–24.05 ng/mL); VB 9 (0.60–9.62 ng/mL); Mg (25.73–51.94 mg/L); Cu (0.58–1.41 mg/L); Fe (236.75–599.81 mg/L); Zn (3.93–22.22 mg/L); Se (70.57–167.63 μg/L). Conclusions This study presents venous whole blood micronutrient parameters that can facilitate nutrition-related epidemiological research and inform personalized intervention strategies, thereby enhancing the quality of healthcare for elderly individuals in China.

Source: Clinica Chimica Acta

DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2025.120674