Levels of lead and mercury in the urine are just two of the toxic metals that this panel measures it also measures other harmful elements.
Sources of Exposure
Accumulations of these toxics can occur in the human body in response to occupational exposures or to environmental exposures from toxic release in air, soil, or industrial waste streams.
These include
- Metal refining
- Fabrication of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies
- Alloying Electronics and computer manufacturing
- Plating and parts manufacture in aerospace and machine tool industries
- According to the EPA, the U.S. has the largest electronics (including computer) workforce in the world. Exposures to the measured elements can occur in other occupations as well, including
- Welding and metal shaping
- Military or police service (with weapons use)
- Plumbing
- Handling and disposal of wastes
- Oil refining
- Petrochemical production
- Manufacture of pigments and coatings
Health Consequences of Exposure
- Evidence suggests that chronic toxic element exposure can adversely affect:
- Energy levels
- Neurological development and function
- Reproductive function
- Respiratory, cardiac, hepatic and immune functions
- Cancer risk
- Cognitive and emotional health
- Degenerative conditions
What is being measured;
- Aluminum (Al)
- Antimony (Sb)
- Arsenic (As)
- Barium (Ba)
- Beryllium (Be)
- Bismuth (Bi)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Cesium (Cs)
- Gadolinium (Gd)
- Lead (Pb
- Mercury (Hg)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Palladium (Pl)
- Platinum (Pt)
- Tellurium (Te)
- Thallium (Tl)
- Thorium (Th)
- Tin (Sn)
- Tungsten (W)
- Uranium (U)
- Creatinine
Age range this test is suitable for
Adults and children
Children must be able to supply a sample of urine that is free from nappy fibres and stool samples.
Type of test
This is a simple urine test and can be done over 2-6 hours, 8-12 or 24 hours.
One or two Urine samples – whats’ the difference?
You can complete 1 sample to give a picture of heavy metal status.
Or if you are working with a practitioner and want to check the effectiveness of a chelating agent then we advise 2 samples. This is called a pre and post provocation challenge with DMSA. Your practitioner can help you with the DMSA. We recommend the 6 hour urine collection for the DMSA test. One before the DMSA and one 6 hours afterwards so you can compare findings. The post DMSA results will show the impact of the chelating agent. Please note: The DMSA solution for the provocation test is not currently available from the current laboratory your test is ordered through. You will need to source your own DMSA solution.
Contraindications
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you CANNOT do the DMSA challenge as this is contraindicated.
The DMSA test is NOT suitable for any one with cadmium toxicity or renal dysfunction.
Before Taking this Test
Avoid taking creatine supplements (2 days before test)
Avoid fish and shellfish 7 days prior to taking the test
Do not collect urine during a period
Turnaround time
8 days
