Myths vs facts: Nährstoffcheck and fatigue

Nutrient checks (e.g., blood or saliva tests) can detect certain deficiencies, but they are not a magic cure for fatigue. Fatigue has many causes – poor sleep, stress, mental health issues, lack of exercise, or underlying diseases. A test might show low vitamin D or iron, but even then supplementation may not resolve exhaustion. Many companies market these checks as 'energy solutions' without robust clinical evidence. The evidence is mixed: for some markers (e.g., vitamin B12, ferritin) clear reference ranges exist, but the link to non-specific fatigue is weak. Genetic variants (e.g., MTHFR) have only small effects. Bottom line: a nutrient check can be useful if a doctor suspects a deficiency, but it is not a standalone diagnostic tool for fatigue. Beware of exaggerated claims and unnecessary supplements.