Heavy Metal Blood Test
Reviewed
Also called: heavy metals panel, toxic metals, heavy metal toxicity test
A heavy metal blood test is a group of tests that measures the levels of possibly harmful metals (like lead or mercury) in your blood. It is used to find out if you have been exposed to certain metals, and how much of the metal is in your system.
Specimen: blood
Urgent safety information
Higher than normal levels of a heavy metal in your blood may mean that you have heavy metal poisoning, which can be deadly. Depending on the heavy metal and your condition, you may need treatment to help your body get rid of the heavy metal as quickly as possible.
Why this test may be ordered
- If you had a possible exposure to heavy metal or if you have symptoms of heavy metal poisoning.
- If your job involves heavy metals, your employer may require regular testing to help monitor workplace safety.
- Children under the age of 6 may need to be tested for lead poisoning if they have a risk of exposure to lead, even when they don't have symptoms.
Preparation and collection
Some fish and shellfish contain high levels of mercury, so you should avoid eating seafood for 48 hours before your test.
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. This usually takes less than five minutes.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may experience slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Your results will show the level of each heavy metal measured in your blood sample.
- Higher than normal: Higher than normal levels of a heavy metal in your blood Limitation: Higher than normal levels of a heavy metal in your blood may mean that you have heavy metal poisoning, but not always. Even if you don't have symptoms, you may still need to avoid all exposure to that metal. Next step: Depending on the heavy metal and your condition, you may also need treatment to help your body get rid of the heavy metal as quickly as possible. In certain cases, your provider may recommend chelation therapy.
- Normal or low: Normal or low levels of heavy metal in your blood usually mean that you don't have heavy metal poisoning. Limitation: Some heavy metals leave your bloodstream quickly and are stored in your tissues. So, if you have symptoms, your provider will likely order more tests to check for heavy metals in samples of your urine, hair, skin, or fingernail clipping. Next step: Talk with your provider to learn what your results mean.
- Some heavy metals leave your bloodstream quickly and are stored in your tissues. So, if you have symptoms, your provider will likely order more tests to check for heavy metals in samples of your urine, hair, skin, or fingernail clipping.
- Higher than normal levels of a heavy metal in your blood may mean that you have heavy metal poisoning, but not always.
What to do next
Talk with your provider to learn what your results mean.
- What specific heavy metals were tested in my blood?
- What do my results mean for my health?
- Do I need any follow-up tests or treatment?