Cadmium is a natural element found in tiny amounts in air, water, soil, and food. It is used in batteries, alloys for electroplating (auto industries), the production of pigments, and as stabilizers for polyvinyl plastic. Exposure to cadmium occurs primarily occurs via ingestion of foods grown in contaminated soil or by the inhalation of cigarette smoke. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, dermal absorption of cadmium is negligible. Cadmium toxicity generates reactive oxygen species, interferes with DNA repair, and binds the mitochondria affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Symptoms of cadmium toxicity include anemia, liver disease, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney disease, and impaired bone density. Long-term exposure to cadmium may lead to cancer and organ system toxicity such as skeletal, urinary, reproductive, cardiovascular, central and peripheral nervous, and respiratory systems.
SOURCES:
Found in food such as shellfish, leafy vegetables, rice, cereals, cocoa butter, dried seaweed, and legumes. Also present in nickel cadmium batteries, cigarette smoke (including second-hand smoke), insecticides, fertilizer, motor oil, emissions and exhaust. Drinking water, air, and occupational exposures are also seen.
NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:
Iron deficiency is associated with higher cadmium burden and absorption of cadmium may increase during very early stages of iron deficiency. Zinc deficiency is associated with an increase in Cadmium, as a result of the antagonistic relationship between the elements.
Dietary cadmium inhibits GI absorption of calcium and interferes with calcium and vitamin D metabolism. Low dietary calcium stimulates synthesis of calcium- binding protein which enhances Cadmium absorption.
References:
- Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment Paul B Tchounwou. Published in final edited form as: EXS. 2012;3:133-164.
- Kordas K, Loonnerdal B, Stoltzfus RJ. Interactions between Nutrition and Environmental Exposures: Effects on Health Outcomes in Women and Children. J Nutr. 2007;137(12):2794-2797.
- Afridi HI, Kazi TG, Kazi NG, et al. Evaluation of cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc status in biological samples of smokers and nonsmokers hypertensive patients. J Hum Hypertens. 2010;24(1):34-43.
- ATSDR. Cadmium Toxicity Clinical Assessment - Laboratory Tests. Environmental Health and Medicine Education 2008; https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=6&po=15 2020.
- Lauwerys R, Buchet J, Roels H. The relationship between cadmium exposure or body burden and the concentration of cadmium in blood and urine in man. Int Arch Occup Environ health. 1976;36(4):275-285.
- Adams SV, Newcomb PA. Cadmium blood and urine concentrations as measures of exposure: NHANES 1999-2010. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2014;24(2):163-170.
- Goyer RA. Toxic and essential metal interactions. Ann Rev Nutr. 1997;17(1):37-50.
Lab Results Explained and Tracked
What does it mean if your Cadmium result is too high?
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS:
Cadmium accumulates in the liver and kidneys and has a long half-life (17-30 years). The renal and skeletal systems are the main targets of Cadmium toxicity. Urinary cadmium reflects integrated exposure over time and body burden. Urinary levels do not rise significantly after acute exposure. Elevated blood cadmium levels confirm recent acute exposure.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Renal tubular toxicity, decreased bone density with increased bone turnover and fractures.
Chronic inhalation exposure is associated with emphysema. Acute oral ingestion leads to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and GI tract erosions.
All Your Lab Results.
One Simple Dashboard.
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results Easily
Import, Track, and Share Your Lab Results
Import lab results from multiple providers, track changes over time, customize your reference ranges, and get clear explanations for each result. Everything is stored securely, exportable in one organized file, and shareable with your doctor—or anyone you choose.
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Article Review & Sources
All our content is backed by peer-reviewed studies, academic research, and trusted medical sources. We're committed to accuracy and transparency — see our editorial policy for details.
Laboratories
Bring All Your Lab Results Together — In One Place
We accept reports from any lab, so you can easily collect and organize all your health information in one secure spot.
Pricing Table
Gather Your Lab History — and Finally Make Sense of It
Finally, Your Lab Results Organized and Clear
Personal plans
$79/ year
Advanced Plan
Access your lab reports, explanations, and tracking tools.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 5 reports entered for you
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
$250/ once
Unlimited Account
Pay once, access everything—no monthly fees, no limits.
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track all results with visual tools
- Customize your reference ranges
- Export your full lab history anytime
- Share results securely with anyone
- Receive 10 reports entered for you
- No subscriptions. No extra fees.
$45/ month
Pro Monthly
Designed for professionals managing their clients' lab reports
- Import lab results from any provider
- Track lab results for multiple clients
- Customize reference ranges per client
- Export lab histories and reports
- Begin with first report entered by us
- Cancel or upgrade anytime
About membership
What's included in a Healthmatters membership
Import Lab Results from Any Source
See Your Health Timeline
Understand What Your Results Mean
Visualize Your Results
Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Securely Share With Anyone You Trust
Let Your Lab Results Tell the Full Story
Once your results are in one place, see the bigger picture — track trends over time, compare data side by side, export your full history, and share securely with anyone you trust.
Bring all your results together to compare, track progress, export your history, and share securely.
What Healthmatters Members Are Saying
We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.