Metal Intoxication

What is the Metal Intoxication Blood Test?

The Metal Intoxication Blood Test is a specialized test specifically developed to detect small quantities of heavy metals in your blood. This test quantitatively measures the amounts of various metals such as lead, lithium, and copper that can be toxic at elevated concentrations. It is an important diagnostic tool for individuals who may have been exposed to toxic environments, such as certain industries, polluted areas, or due to old piping in their homes.

What is tested?

• Lead – Heavy metal that can cause neurological damage
• Lithium – Metal used in medication, toxic at high doses
• Copper – Essential trace element, but toxic when accumulated
• Creatinine – Waste product from muscle tissue for kidney function assessment
• eGFR – Estimated glomerular filtration rate (kidney function percentage)

Why should you get a Metal Intoxication test?

This test is crucial for individuals exhibiting symptoms that may indicate metal poisoning, such as neurological problems, cognitive decline, fatigue, abdominal pain, neuropathy, or behavioral changes. It is particularly important for people working in certain industries such as metal processing, battery production, or artists working with pigments. Also for residents of old houses with lead pipes, people living near polluted industrial areas, or children who may have ingested old paint flakes. Lithium is also measured in patients using lithium medication for bipolar disorder.

What does it indicate?

The results provide insight into the exposure to and accumulation of potentially toxic metals. This test measures:

• Heavy metals – Lead for neurological poisoning
• Therapeutic metals – Lithium during medication use
• Essential metals – Copper for balance and toxicity
• Kidney function – Creatinine and eGFR for metal excretion

Early detection is essential for preventing permanent damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, and blood formation.

What does a high level mean?

Elevated lead levels are very dangerous, especially for children, and can lead to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, reduced IQ, anemia, and kidney issues. In adults, it causes hypertension, kidney damage, and cognitive problems. Elevated copper can indicate Wilson's disease (hereditary copper accumulation) or excessive exposure, leading to liver cirrhosis and neurological symptoms. Too much lithium during medication use can lead to tremors, confusion, kidney damage, and heart problems. All elevated metal levels require immediate medical attention and possibly chelation therapy to remove the metals from the body.

What does a low level mean?

Very low or undetectable levels of toxic metals such as lead are ideal and indicate no significant exposure. For copper, very low levels may indicate a deficiency, which can lead to anemia, neutropenia, and bone problems, although copper deficiency is rare. In patients on lithium medication, too low levels may mean that the dosage is insufficient for a therapeutic effect. Normal to low levels of these metals are the goal, except for essential trace elements like copper where a balance is needed. This test helps to detect toxic exposure as well as monitor therapeutic medication levels.