Heavy Metal Blood Test
Reviewed
Also called: heavy metals panel, toxic metals, heavy metal toxicity test
Heavy metal testing includes a group of tests that measures the levels of possibly harmful metals (like lead or mercury) in your blood.
Specimen: blood
Urgent safety information
But if that level gets too high, it can cause heavy metal poisoning, which can be deadly.
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.
For a blood sample, your provider will collect blood 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. Your provider may ask you to collect your urine over a 24-hour period.
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. There is also very little risk to having a urine or stool test or to having a small piece of your nails or hair removed for testing.
Understanding results
If a result or symptoms suggest an emergency, get emergency medical help right away.
Because heavy metals are just about everywhere, it's normal to have some level of them in your body. But if that level gets too high, it can cause heavy metal poisoning, which can be deadly.
- Higher than normal: Higher than normal levels of heavy metal in your test sample may mean that you have heavy metal poisoning, but not always. Limitation: Chelation therapy can have serious side effects, so it's important to think about the risks and benefits. Next step: You or your child may also require additional tests to confirm or rule out heavy metal poisoning and check the health of certain organs, such as your kidneys. Even if you don't have symptoms, you may still need to avoid all exposure to that metal.
- Normal or low: Normal or low levels of heavy metal in your test sample usually mean that you don't have heavy metal poisoning. Limitation: However, some heavy metals leave your bloodstream quickly and are stored in your tissues. Next step: 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.
- 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?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.