A heavy metal test determines if your body has excessive concentrations of hazardous or deadly metals. The environment, some foods and medications, and even water can all contain toxic heavy metals. Heavy metals can enter your body through your skin, your lungs, or your food.
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In moderation, these heavy metals are safe. However, you can get metal poisoning if you eat too much of these metals. Overexposure to some heavy metals can be lethal if left untreated. If you exhibit symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, your doctor could prescribe a heavy metal test.
What is looked for in a heavy metal test?
When detected at specific amounts, heavy metal examinations search for potentially hazardous elements. These heavy metals include, for instance:
arsenic.
Cadmium.
chromium.
Take the lead.
Mercury.
A heavy metal test may also, less frequently, search for:
Aluminum.
Copper.
Iron.
Manganese.
Nickel.
Selenium.
Silicon.
Thallium.
zinc.
How does heavy metal toxicity manifest itself?
Heavy metal poisoning symptoms are frequently nonspecific and might mimic those of other illnesses. If you exhibit any of the following symptoms of metal poisoning, your doctor could suggest a heavy metal test:
abdominal discomfort.
Cools.
diarrhea.
weakening of the muscles.
vomiting or feeling queasy.
dyspnea, or shortness of breath.
Your hands or feet are tingling.
In heavy metal testing, which biological samples are used?
Every heavy metal test involves laboratory analysis of a test sample. Your healthcare practitioner could get a sample of:
Blood.
Urine.
nails.
Hair.
The metals your provider is looking for and whether they believe your exposure was short-term or long-term will determine the biological sample utilized for a heavy metal test. The most often utilized samples for heavy metal testing are blood and urine.
How can I get ready for a test on heavy metals?
You will receive detailed instructions from your healthcare practitioner on how to get ready for a heavy metal test. Usually, 48 hours before to the test, you should refrain from consuming any seafood. Certain heavy metal levels may momentarily rise as a result of eating seafood.
Additionally, since certain heavy metal tests may be affected by gadolinium-, barium-, and iodine-based contrasts, you should refrain from using them for imaging investigations for at least 96 hours before the test.
What can I anticipate from a heavy metal test?
Every heavy metal test procedure entails gathering a sample to be sent to a lab:
Blood tests: In their office, your healthcare practitioner draws a sample of your blood. They take a little vial of blood by sticking a needle into one of your veins. They could also draw blood from your capillaries using a fingerstick. It just takes a few minutes to complete these procedures.
Urine tests: Over the course of 24 hours, you gather a urine sample at home. You receive a particular container from your provider along with instructions on how to collect the sample.
Hair or nail tests: In the hospital or at your provider’s office, a laboratory specialist collects a sample of your hair or fingernails. There is usually no pain or any negative consequences, and the procedure just takes a few minutes.
What may I anticipate following a heavy metal test?
You can go back home and go on with your regular activities after providing a sample of your blood, urine, hair, or fingernails. Your sample is examined by lab specialists, who then forward the findings to your healthcare physician. In a few days, you and your healthcare professional go over the results.
What does a heavy metal test’s result mean?
Tests for heavy metals reveal your concentrations of certain heavy metals:
You might not have heavy metal toxicity if your levels are low. Your doctor will probably prescribe more tests to determine the origin of your symptoms if you continue to have heavy metal poisoning symptoms.
Elevated levels may indicate toxicity from heavy metals. For a while, you’ll need to stay away from that metal. You will get information from your healthcare practitioner on how to prevent exposure. Chelation treatment could be recommended by your doctor if avoiding the metal doesn’t lower your levels. Under the supervision of your healthcare professional, chelation treatment entails taking medications orally or intravenously to eliminate excess metals from your body.