Toxic Metals (Urine)
Urine
Performed by: Doctor's Data
Analysis of the levels of toxic metals in urine after the administration of a metal detoxification agent is an objective way to evaluate the accumulation of toxic metals. Acute metal poisoning is rare. More common, however, is a chronic, low-level exposure to toxic metals that can result in significant retention in the body that can be associated with a vast array of adverse health effects and chronic disease.
One cannot draw valid conclusions about adverse health effects of metals without assessing net retention. For an individual, toxicity occurs when net retention exceeds physiological tolerance. Net retention is determined by the difference between the rates of assimilation and excretion of metals. To evaluate net retention, one compares the levels of metals in urine before and after the administration of a pharmaceutical metal detoxification agent such as EDTA, DMSA or DMPS. Different compounds have different affinities for specific metals, but all function by sequestering "hidden" metals from deep tissue stores and mobilizing the metals to the kidneys for excretion in the urine.
It is important to perform both pre- and post-provocation urinalysis to permit distinction between ongoing exposures to metals (pre-) and net bodily retention. The pre-provocation urine collection can also be utilized to assess the rate of creatinine clearance if a serum specimen is also submitted.
Many clinicians also request the analysis of essential elements in urine specimens to evaluate nutritional status and the efficacy of mineral supplementation during metal detoxification therapy. Metal detoxification agents can significantly increase the excretion of specific nutrient elements such as zinc, copper, manganese and molybdenum.
Chromium metabolism authorities suggest that 24-hour chromium excretion likely provides the best assessment of chromium status. Early indication of renal dysfunction can be gleaned from urinary wasting of essential elements such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium in an unprovoked specimen.
Variability in urine volume can drastically affect the concentration of elements. To compensate for urine dilution variation, elements are expressed per unit creatinine for timed collections. For 24-hour collections, elements are reported as both units per 24 hours and units per creatinine.
Show more
Biomarkers included in this panel:
Aluminum
Urinary aluminum (Al) provides an indication of very recent or ongoing exposure to the potentially toxic metal. Urine accounts for greater than 95% of Al excretion from the body. Compromised renal function increases the risk of Al retention in the ve
Learn morePossible sources of antimony: - Food and smoking are the usual sources of antimony. Thus cigarette smoke can externally contaminate hair, as well as contribute to uptake via inhalation. - Gunpowder (ammunition) often contains antimony.
Learn moreUrinary arsenic (As) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to various forms of the metalloid. Urine As may also indicate, to a lesser extent, endogenous detoxification of inorganic As. The less toxic organic forms of As from seafood ha
Learn moreUrinary barium (Ba) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the toxic metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. The main dietary sources of Ba include milk, flour, potatoes and some nuts and nut butters. Brazil nuts nat
Learn moreUrinary beryllium (Be) provides an estimate of a recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. After assimilation Be is slowly excreted in urine and may be found elevated many months after high level expos
Learn moreBismuth is found in alloys, catalysts, cosmetics, paints, magnets, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, x-ray contrast media, and semiconductors. Bismuth is generally non-toxic, although very high levels may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Renal, neuro
Learn moreUrinary cadmium (Cd) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the toxic metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. Most of absorbed Cd is retained in the liver and kidneys for many years. A small portion of assimilated Cd
Learn moreUrinary gadolinium (Gd) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. Urinary Gd would be expected to be variably high if urine was collected within a week of medicinal Gd adminis
Learn moreA percentage of assimilated Lead is excreted in urine. Therefore the urine Lead level reflects recent or ongoing exposure to Lead and the degree of excretion or endogenous detoxification processes. Sources of Lead include: - old lead-based pain
Learn moreMercury is often abbreviated Hg. It may be breathed in, ingested or absorbed through the skin and is toxic. As a vapor, mercury is odorless. Urinary mercury testing is considered a very accurate way to assess whether or not you have been exp
Learn moreUrinary nickel (Ni) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential trace element. However, excessive assimilation of Ni has
Learn moreUrinary palladium (Pd) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. As one of the rarest elements in the earth’s crust, Pd is a precious metal associated with the platin
Learn moreUrinary platinum (Pt) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. Significant exposure to this non-essential, precious metal is unusual except in association with chemotherapy.
Learn moreUrinary tellurium (Te) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. The metal has no physiological function in the body, and urinary excretion is predominant. Te is a very rar
Learn moreSources: Fish, shellfish, plants, cigarettes, soil, air, water, electronic devices, switches and closures for the semiconductor industry, glass for medical procedures. Nutrient interactions: Some of its toxic effects results from interf
Learn moreUrinary thorium (Th) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the radioactive metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. This test measures Th232 which is the most abundant, naturally occurring radioactive isotope of Th.
Learn moreUrinary tin (Sn) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. Sn has no known physiological function in the body. Inorganic Sn has a low potential for toxicity, while organic Sn
Learn moreUrinary tungsten (W) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. W doesn’t have physiological functions in the body, and has low toxic potential with oral exposure. Abo
Learn moreUrinary uranium (U) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. This test measures U238 which is the most abundant, naturally occurring U isotope. All ten isotopes of U are r
Learn more