No. Nutrients (protein, sugars, fats, minerals, and vitamins) in the blood are constituents that are constantly changing to maintain as constant a level as possible. When certain levels of nutrients are low in the blood such as calcium, the body will call upon reserves to pull calcium into the blood. Other minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium may be low in blood when there is a deficiency. However, the deficiency will generally have occurred over a long period of time and other clinical signs of the particular mineral deficiency would be observed. The same can be said for TPP (Total Plasma Protein). Blood hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit are also frequently used to assess the presence of anemia and the horse’s general physical condition and nutritional status, particularly with respect to iron and the B-vitamins. Again, these parameters are of little or no benefit in assessing the horse’s nutritional status.

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