Minerals and Toxic Metals
At Biolab we can measure up to 18 different trace and toxic metals in hair, sweat, serum, whole blood, red blood cells and urine. The table below indicates the most suitable samples for individual elements. Please note that patients must attend the laboratory for the Sweat Mineral analysis and wherever possible serum samples should be separated before being posted.
Patients should stop taking mineral containing nutritional supplements for at least 24 hours before having any mineral tests.
April 2009 - Vacutainer blood collection tube update:
Please note that as of April 2009 we are replacing our navy blue top clotted (serum) tubes with navy blue top EDTA (plasma) tubes. In the short-term the tubes supplied form Biolab will have a lavender band around the tube indicating that it has EDTA added. This web site and the latest version of our laboratory guide (v9.5) specify where this sample type is preferred for our tests, but if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us directly (tel: 020 7636-5959 or e-mail: info@biolab.co.uk)
Further details: Trace element free, EDTA, blood collection tubes
Which samples are best?
The following table indicates the most suitable sample to use for individual trace and toxic element levels.
| Element: | Sample: |
| Magnesium | Red cells (also see other magnesium tests) |
| Zinc | Trace element free plasma (also see zinc challenge tests) |
| Copper | Trace element free plasma (also see functional superoxide dismutase and copper response test) |
| Iron | Serum (also see TIBC) |
| Chromium | Trace element free plasma |
| Manganese | Trace element free plasma |
| Selenium | Trace element free plasma (also see glutathione peroxidase) |
| Molybdenum | see Urinary Sulphites |
| Iodine | Early morning, or random, urine |
| Lead | Trace element free blood |
| Cadmium | Trace element free blood |
| Aluminium | Trace element free plasma |
| Mercury | Urine (also see mercury tests) |
| Arsenic | Urine |
Toxic metals (see also hair and sweat metal profiles - above)
The following Biolab publications demonstrate correlations between different samples:
Age-related decreases in Chromium Levels in 51,665 Hair, Sweat and Serum Samples from 40,872 Patients - Implications for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Davies S, McLaren Howard J, Hunnisett A, Howard M. Metabolism, Vol 46, No 5 (May), 1997: 469-473. Abstract
Serum, Leucocyte, Sweat and Hair Zinc Levels - a correlational Study. Howard JMH. J.Nutr.Med. 1990;1:119-126 Abstract
Zinc Deficiency in Children with Dyslexia: Concentrations of Zinc and other Minerals in Sweat and Hair. Grant ECG, Howard JMH, Davies S, Chasty H, Hornsby B, Galbraith J. Brit.Med.J. 1988;296:607609 Abstract
Effects of Oral Zinc Supplements on Serum, Hair and Sweat Zinc Levels in 7 Subjects Davies S. Sci. Tot. Env.1985;42:4548. Abstract
Sweat lead levels in persons with high blood lead levels: lead in sweat of lead workers in the tropics. Omokhodion FO, Howard JM. Sci. Tot. Env. 1991; 1O3:123128. Abstract
Full Trace and Toxic Mineral Profile
Hair, sweat and plasma minerals with RBC Mg and blood toxic elements (see below for further details).
[Patient must attend the laboratory, no supplements on day of test]
About 0.5g of hair cut close to the scalp from the back of the head, or nape of the neck is required (about 1 heaped tablespoon full). It is helpful if our special hair mineral analysis request for is sent with the hair sample. The following trace and toxic metals are measured:
Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se, Zn and Al, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb
Note: This profile is a screening test only. Abnormalities should be confirmed with appropriate blood or urine tests.
Sample report - Hair Mineral Analysis
A previously cleaned and weighed absorbent patch (7cm x 3cm) is taped to the patient’s back for 1 - 2 hours. The increase in the weight of the patch indicates the quantity of sweat collected. The trace elements are extracted from the patches with a mild acid solution.
The following elements are measured in the extract: Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, Na, Mg, Pb, Cd, Al
[Patient must attend the laboratory, no supplements on day of test]
Sweat Mineral Analysis with Mercury
[Patient must attend the laboratory, no nutritional supplements for 24 hours before testing]
Sample report - Sweat Mineral Analysis
The following minerals are measured Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn & Se.
[Blue - trace element free EDTA tube, Gold top tube (SST), no supplements for 24 hours before testing]
Plasma Mineral Profile with RBC Mg
Ca,Mg,Zn,Cu,Fe,Cr,Mn, RBC Mg
[Blue - trace element free EDTA tube, Gold top tube (SST), Green heparin tube, no supplements for 24 hours before testing]
Sample report - Plasma Mineral Analysis
K,Mg,Ca,Zn,Cu,Se
[Blue - trace element free EDTA tube, Gold top tube (SST), Green heparin tube]
Individual metals in serum, red cells, whole blood or urine
[Blue - trace element free EDTA tube for serum minerals & toxic metals, Gold top tube (SST) for potassium, iron and calcium]
Exceptions:
Serum Iron [Gold top tube (SST)]
Serum phosphate [Gold top tube (SST)] (datasheet)
Urine Copper [mid-stream urine sample]
Urine Chromium [mid-stream urine sample]
[Mid-stream urine]
Blood Toxic Elements - Industrial metals
Lead, cadmium and manganese
[Navy Blue top EDTA]
Please note that we can't use clotted Navy blue top tubes for this profile
Full toxic metals screen (blood or urine)
We can screen blood or urine for all toxic metals using plasma emission spectrometry scanning of a pre-concentrated and atomised sample. We can detect over 70 toxic elements and report includes quantitative results for 30 metals. Any other abnormalities or unusual elements detected are appended to the report or included on a covering letter.
Urine - [6 hour urine collection - aliquot supplied with accurately measured total volume]
Blood - [Navy Blue top EDTA tube]
Please note that we can't use clotted Navy blue top tubes for this profile
Biomer Chelation Challenge (for mercury and other toxic metals)
A challenge test for mercury (and other toxic metals) using Biocare Ltd’s Biomer chelating complex and nutritional supplement. A baseline urine mercury measurement is made followed by mercury levels 2 and 3 hours after oral ingestion of a bodyweight related dose of Biomer capsules. All mercury levels are corrected for creatinine. Results can be useful in assessing an individual’s overall body load of mercury and for monitoring toxic metal chelation therapy.
(Download Biomer test datasheet)
(Download Biomer test instruction sheet)
[3 x urine samples - special kit required from Biolab. Biomer doseage is calculated for patient's bodyweight]
Other tests for mineral and toxic metal status:
Caeruloplasmin (copper status)
[Gold top tube (SST)]
Superoxide Dismutase (RBC) - an important antioxidant enzyme and functional test for copper status. (Download datasheet)
Why measure superoxide dismutase?
[Green top heparin tube]
Copper Response Test
Fasting serum is collected and a further sample is taken 1 hour after an oral loading dose of 50mg of zinc. An increase in copper is usually found. A reduction in copper response to zinc is seen in copper deficiency and some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
[Patient must attend the laboratory, no nutritional supplements for 24 hours before testing. Special appointment required]
Other tests for magnesium status:
Magnesium Loading/Retention Test
Red Cell Magnesium and Glutathione Peroxidase in Infertile Women - Effects of Oral Supplementation with Magnesium and Selenium McLaren Howard J, Davies S, Hunnisett AG. Mag. Res. 1994;7:49-57. Abstract
Magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome (letter). McLaren Howard J, Davies S, Hunnissett A. Lancet 1992;i:426.
Magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome (letter), Davies S. Lancet 1991;337:1295
Magnesium and the body. Howard JMH. Interaction, 1991;7:7-10.
Magnesium Deficiency in Peripheral Vascular Disease. Howard JMH. J.Nutr.Med. 1990;1:39-49 Abstract
Muscle Action, Trace Elements and Related Nutrients: The Myothermogram. Howard J, In: Chazot G, Abdulla M, Arnaud P, eds. Current Trends in Trace Element Research: Proceedings of International Symposium on Trace Elements. Paris, 1987, Smith-Gordon, London,1989, pp79-85 Abstract
Magnesium and potassium deficiencies in women with pre-menstrual syndrome. Stewart A, Howard JMH. Mag. Bull. 1986;8:314-316 Abstract
Iron and total iron binding capacity
[Gold top tube (SST)]
Total iron binding capacity
[Gold top tube (SST)]
RBC Glutathione Peroxidase (RBC GSH-Px) (Download datasheet)
Glutathione peroxidise is an important antioxidant and an indicator of tissue selenium levels. Current concerns about low levels of selenium in the soil in the UK, together with concerns about modern agricultural methods, mean that application of this enzyme measurement may be appropriate in a wide variety of subjects. The profile includes red cell GSH-Px 1 & plasma GSH-Px 3
[Green heparin tube, sample must arrive at the laboratory within 24 hours]
Functional test for molybdenum status
[Early morning urine sample]
1.5 hour (2 samples)
3.0 hour (7 samples)
[Blue top trace element free EDTA, special kit required from Biolab, no food from 10pm the previous evening and no zinc containing nutritional supplements for 24 hours before start of test]
Links to other Biolab tests:
Tests performed at other laboratories