Quick Facts
- Sample: Dried blood spot (finger prick)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 5-7 business days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detect toxic heavy metals that could harm your health
- Assess essential nutrients critical for hormone and brain function
- Convenient at-home collection with simple finger prick method
- Advanced ICP-MS technology for precise, parts-per-trillion detection
- No doctor visit required for ordering or collection
- Confidential results delivered securely online within days
Who Is This Test For?
- People with unexplained fatigue, memory issues, or neurological symptoms
- Individuals with high seafood consumption or well water exposure
- Those living near industrial areas or with occupational metal exposure
- Anyone seeking preventive health screening for toxic exposures
- People with thyroid dysfunction or hormonal imbalances
- Individuals wanting to optimize nutritional status of essential minerals
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and receive your test kit with lancet and collection card
- Collect blood spots at home using the simple finger prick method
- Mail back using prepaid envelope and get results within 5-7 business days
FAQ
What elements does this test measure? It measures 2 toxic metals (mercury, cadmium) and 4 essential elements (zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium).
Is the blood spot method as accurate as a blood draw? Yes, dried blood spot collection is clinically validated for elemental analysis using ICP-MS technology (Journal of Clinical Chemistry 2023).
Do I need to fast before collecting my sample? No fasting is required. Collect within one hour of waking for best consistency.
What if my toxic metal levels are high? Elevated levels indicate exposure risk and should be reviewed with a healthcare provider for personalized intervention strategies.
How soon will I get my results? Results are typically available within 5-7 business days and delivered securely through your online portal.
Can I order this test without a doctor? Yes, this is a direct-to-consumer test requiring no physician referral for ordering.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This comprehensive test evaluates your body's levels of harmful toxic metals and essential nutritional elements that directly impact your health. The test measures mercury and cadmium—two dangerous heavy metals linked to neurological damage, hormone disruption, and chronic diseases—alongside four critical nutrients: zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium. These elements play vital roles in immune function, thyroid health, and cellular metabolism (CDC 2023).
Using advanced ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) technology, this test achieves sensitivity down to parts-per-trillion levels, enabling detection of even low-level toxic exposures that could affect your long-term health. The convenient blood spot method provides accurate results without the need for clinic visits or uncomfortable procedures.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for health-conscious individuals seeking to understand their environmental toxic exposure and nutritional status. You may benefit if you experience unexplained symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, memory problems, or mood changes that could indicate heavy metal toxicity or nutrient deficiencies.
People with higher exposure risks include those who consume seafood regularly, use well water, live near industrial areas, or work in occupations involving metal exposure. Additionally, individuals with thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, or chronic health conditions may find valuable insights about underlying elemental contributors to their symptoms (American Thyroid Association 2023).
When should I order this test?
Consider ordering this test when experiencing unexplained health symptoms that could relate to toxic exposure or nutritional imbalances. Early detection is crucial since approximately 10-15% of the U.S. population has elevated heavy metal levels linked to environmental exposure (CDC 2023).
Order this test for routine screening if you have known risk factors, want to establish baseline levels before starting detoxification protocols, or need to monitor progress during treatment for heavy metal toxicity or nutritional supplementation programs.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show measured levels of each element compared to established reference ranges, indicating whether your levels are low, optimal, or elevated.
Toxic Metals (High)
- Result Interpretation: Indicates exposure risk
- Typical Action: Consult healthcare provider, reduce exposure sources
Essential Elements (Low)
- Result Interpretation: Nutritional deficiency
- Typical Action: Dietary changes, targeted supplementation
Essential Elements (High)
- Result Interpretation: Possible excess or imbalance
- Typical Action: Review supplements, assess absorption issues
All Elements Optimal
- Result Interpretation: Good elemental balance
- Typical Action: Continue current lifestyle, routine monitoring
Early detection of heavy metal toxicity can reduce risks of chronic diseases and potentially lower healthcare costs by 20% (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. You don't need to fast or avoid any foods or medications. For best results, collect your sample within one hour of waking to ensure consistency. Avoid MRI procedures with gadolinium contrast within 96 hours before sample collection, as this can affect results.
Ensure your hands are clean and warm before collection. Follow the included instructions carefully for proper blood spot collection and allow samples to dry completely before packaging for return shipping.
How often should I get tested?
- Routine screening: Every 1–2 years
- High exposure risk: Every 6–12 months
- Active detoxification: Every 3–6 months
- Post-treatment monitoring: Every 6 months until stable
Why early detection matters
Heavy metal toxicity often develops gradually with subtle symptoms that worsen over time. Early identification allows for prompt intervention to prevent serious health consequences including neurological damage, cardiovascular disease, and hormonal disruption. Essential element deficiencies affecting up to 30% of adults can significantly impact immune function and thyroid health when left unaddressed (American Thyroid Association 2023).
Detecting imbalances early enables targeted interventions through dietary modifications, supplementation, and exposure reduction strategies before permanent damage occurs.
Related tests you may consider
Toxic & Essential Elements Urine Profile - ZRT Test Kit - Checks your urine for harmful elements like arsenic and mercury and important ones like iodine and selenium to help doctors determine whether you have the right amounts to stay healthy.
Thyroid #4 Comprehensive Blood Test Panel- Checks several important hormones, antibodies, and proteins to give a full picture of how well your thyroid is working, helping detect issues like thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases.
Heavy Metals Profile I Urine Test- Checks for harmful levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury to help prevent health problems by detecting exposure early and guiding treatment.
Nutrition and Wellness #2 Essential Blood and Urine Test Panel - Measures markers in blood and urine to evaluate overall health and nutritional status by identifying deficiencies or imbalances in the body.
