The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is a comprehensive analysis of toxic and potentially toxic heavy metals in the blood while at the same time testing for possible imbalances, deficiencies, or excess of the necessary nutrients (micronutrients and trace elements).
The determination of heavy metals in the blood is the most reliable test for the diagnosis of toxicity or poisoning by metals such as lead, mercury, and others. The test for Heavy Metals, Micronutrients and Trace Elements in whole blood reflects the levels of elements regardless of their form (organic or inorganic), both intracellular (within blood cells) and extracellular (serum or plasma) as a whole (but without their separation).
Blood is the body's transportation and circulation system, providing the tissues with micronutrients, trace elements, and toxic heavy metals. The minerals circulate in the blood for about 72 hours and then are either excreted or deposited in various tissues of the body.
Elevated levels of heavy metals in the blood indicate immediate exposure, while reduced concentrations of micronutrients and trace elements reflect inadequate intake and maybe a sign of nutritional deficiency.
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is useful in finding the causes of pathological conditions such as:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Decreased bone density (osteoporosis / osteopenia)
- Anemia
- Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension
- Renal dysfunction
- Depression, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer)
- Alopecia, Dermatitis, and other dermatological diseases
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Immune system disorders
- Chronic inflammation
- Diabetes mellitus and abnormal glucose tolerance
- Vision disorders
- Impotence or decreased testosterone production
- Nutritional deficiencies
Additionally, the Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is used in:
- Testing for possible exposure to toxic substances (occupational or environmental)
- Monitoring and evaluation of heavy metal removal treatments (e.g. with chelating agents)
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is used:
- To assess a person's nutritional status and nutrition-related diseases
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the dietary supplements one is taking
- To monitor nutrient losses during heavy metal removal treatments. Agents used to remove heavy metals (eg chelating agents) can significantly increase the simultaneous excretion of nutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum
More information
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood should be performed prior to the initiation of and during the removal of heavy metals with chelating agents. Toxic heavy metals disrupt nutrient metabolism and act competitively towards certain elements, such as cadmium for zinc and lead for calcium. In addition, the chelating agents used to remove heavy metals can cause a significant increase in the urinary excretion of certain nutrients. For example, EDTA has a very high affinity for zinc and manganese and DMPS leads to significant copper losses. Therefore, proper assessment of the status of micronutrients and trace elements is very important for the safe and effective treatment of heavy metal removal.
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is useful for assessing recent or ongoing exposure to toxic metals.
Accurate assessment of the status of micronutrients and trace elements in the blood is highly recommended to determine the appropriate dietary supplements. The absorption, transport, and metabolism of essential nutrients can be regulated. Inadequate dietary supplements or dietary imbalances can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excessive intake of zinc or molybdenum can lead to copper deficiency and excess manganese can have severe neurotoxic effects resembling the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Whole Blood is an excellent test for measuring the levels of intracellular and extracellular elements circulating in the blood. Extracellular metals function in serum (or plasma) or are transported to tissues by the serum bound to specific proteins or albumin. Intracellular minerals have very specific functions as mandatory components of metalloproteins and enzymes in red and white blood cells. Red and white blood cells are used as representatives of peripheral cells in general. Some elements, such as selenium, appear to play an important physiological role both intracellularly and extracellularly. Similarly, toxic heavy metals such as lead are transported both into the serum and into cells (red blood cells). Therefore, the measurement in both blood compartments allows for the most complete assessment of the total levels in the blood elements.
The measurements are performed by the ICP-MS method (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), a method that enables the simultaneous detection of many metals. Its sensitivity and accuracy are significantly better compared to the conventional method of atomic absorption, having the ability to measure metals in concentrations up to 1 in 1015 (1 in 1 quadrillion, ppq)!
