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 we recommend 24 hours.
If you are working with a practitioner a chelating agent such as DMSA can also be ordered. If you would like to go ahead with this option we will require the body weight of the patient to be able to measure the correct dosage of DMSA. Please email admin@smartnutrition.co.uk with this detail.
Contraindications
If you are pregnant or breast feeding, you can use the standard toxic metals test without the DMSA challenge. The kit will be sent to you without the DMSA solution. Please complete the test as per the instructions sent by the laboratory.
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
