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Hiding_behind_you t1_itv4a3v wrote

Is it conceivable to have a bio-electrical implant embedded into a blood vessel that is able to read and detect deficiencies or excesses in the essential nutrients, minerals, and so on, and act as a first warning of illnesses? In effect, a “your iron is at 105%, your carbohydrates are at 87%”, or “early cancer detected; please see a doctor”?

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AgingLemon t1_itwh95c wrote

Researcher here. Medical device companies are working on this. Continuous glucose monitors do this with interstitial fluid, and Dexcom is investigating applying these technologies for other molecules.

A big consideration is the thing you want to measure, which tissues you can access, and whether it’s an appropriate approach. Blood is accessible and a lot, but not all, of health related things are released or leaked into blood. For example Vitamin D measurement in blood is tricky.

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