Whole Blood Elements
Doctor's Data
Sample type: Whole blood
Requires fasting: Yes
Phlebotomy is required for this test
Details
Whole blood metals are the standard for diagnosis of lead, mercury or other metal toxicity or poisoning, and are also used to assess recent or ongoing exposure to potentially toxic elements. Whole blood analysis measures total element levels that circulate extracellularly in serum/plasma, as well as intracellularly within blood cells.
- Molybdenum
- Chromium
- Manganese
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Cobalt
- Strontium
- Vanadium
- Barium
- Nickel
- Platinum
- Thallium
- Tungsten
- Uranium
- Selenium, Blood
- Calcium (Ca)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Copper, Whole Blood
- Lead, Whole Blood
- Lithium, Whole Blood
- Zinc, Whole Blood
Estimated days for results: Results should arrive 3 to 5 days after the lab receives samples.
Blood elemental analysis should be performed prior to the initiation of, and intermittently during, metal detoxification. Toxic metals disrupt essential element metabolism and are antagonistic to some elements such as cadmium to zinc and lead to calcium. Further, commonly utilized metal detoxification agents can cause significantly increased urinary wasting of some essential elements. For example, EDTA has a very high affinity for zinc and manganese, and DMPS results in marked increases in copper excretion. Therefore, appropriate evaluation of essential element status is an integral component of safe and effective metal detoxification therapy.
Analysis of toxic elements/metals in whole blood is useful for assessment of recent or ongoing exposure to the toxins, but does not provide accurate information about net retention of toxic metals in the body. For example, blood lead levels peak about five hours after acute exposure and then decrease exponentially with a half-life in blood of about one month. Evaluation and elimination of ongoing exposure to toxic metals is another important component of efficient metal detoxification.
Accurate assessment of essential element status in the most appropriate compartment is highly recommended for determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and excess assimilation of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects that are expressed as Parkinson's-like disease.
Whole blood analysis is an excellent test for measuring the levels of both intracellular and extracellular circulating elements. Extracellular elements have functions in serum/plasma or are transported to tissues in serum/plasma associated with specific proteins or albumen. Intracellular elements have very specific functions as obligatory constituents of metalloproteins/enzymes in red blood cells and lymphocytes. The red and white blood cells serve as surrogate cells representative of peripheral cells in general. Some essential elements, such as selenium, are portioned in and have important physiological roles in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Likewise, the toxic metal lead is transported in both the fluid and cellular (red blood cells) compartments of blood. Therefore, measurement of elements in both blood compartments permits a more complete evaluation of total blood element levels.
Useful for:
Analysis of toxic elements/metals in whole blood is useful for assessment of recent or ongoing exposure to the toxins, but does not provide accurate information about net retention of toxic metals in the body. For example, blood lead levels peak about five hours after acute exposure and then decrease exponentially with a half-life in blood of about one month. Evaluation and elimination of ongoing exposure to toxic metals is another important component of efficient metal detoxification.
Accurate assessment of essential element status in the most appropriate compartment is highly recommended for determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and excess assimilation of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects that are expressed as Parkinson's-like disease.
Whole blood analysis is an excellent test for measuring the levels of both intracellular and extracellular circulating elements. Extracellular elements have functions in serum/plasma or are transported to tissues in serum/plasma associated with specific proteins or albumen. Intracellular elements have very specific functions as obligatory constituents of metalloproteins/enzymes in red blood cells and lymphocytes. The red and white blood cells serve as surrogate cells representative of peripheral cells in general. Some essential elements, such as selenium, are portioned in and have important physiological roles in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Likewise, the toxic metal lead is transported in both the fluid and cellular (red blood cells) compartments of blood. Therefore, measurement of elements in both blood compartments permits a more complete evaluation of total blood element levels.
Useful for:
- Alopecia
- Anemia
- Bone Density
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Depression
- Dermatitis or Poor Wound Healing
- Detoxification Therapy
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Hypertension
- Immune Function
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance
- Inflammation
- Kidney Function
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Parkinson's-like Symptoms
- Sexual Impotence or Decreased Testosterone Production
- Vision Problems
3–5 business days
Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection
procedures.
The test requires no special diet but It is recommended that the blood be
drawn before breakfast after an overnight fast. Other collection times can
cause deviations in patient results. Please refrain from taking non-essential
medications, and dietary supplements that contain minerals for 72 hours prior
to the specimen collection, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
procedures.
The test requires no special diet but It is recommended that the blood be
drawn before breakfast after an overnight fast. Other collection times can
cause deviations in patient results. Please refrain from taking non-essential
medications, and dietary supplements that contain minerals for 72 hours prior
to the specimen collection, unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
