How can I test myself for heavy metals?

Blood or urine tests are ideal when it comes to heavy metal testing. These methods are effective for detecting both chronic and recent exposures to heavy metals (such as arsenic and mercury). Hair and fingernail testing, on the other hand, do not reflect recent exposure.

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Test These Toxic Metals and Trace Minerals from the Comfort of Home

Arsenic

Arsenic can be found naturally throughout the environment, such as in ground water, air, natural mineral deposits, and soil. This toxic metal is also used in industrial processes and in various agricultural products like insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, wood preservatives, and dyestuffs. Because of the role arsenic plays in industry and manufacturing, certain occupations can place workers at a greater risk of exposure to arsenic. These occupations include glass-making, ceramics, vineyard work, smelting, metallic ore refinement, pesticide use and manufacturing, wood preservation, and semiconductor manufacturing. However, for most people who do not encounter these occupational hazards, diet is usually the main source of arsenic exposure. Fruits, fruit juices, and grains are the main food-based sources of arsenic. Rice and rice-based products can have especially high levels of arsenic because they often accumulate arsenic at a 10x higher rate than other grains, like wheat and barley. Chronic (long-term) exposure to arsenic may lead to distinct skin diseases, such as arsenical keratinosis (precancerous skin lesions), and can increase the risk of skin cancers. Arsenic poisoning can also lead to constriction of blood flow, decreased nerve function, and lung, liver, kidney, bladder, and other cancers. If you believe you’ve been exposed, contact your healthcare provider immediately (they may recommend you take an arsenic test as soon as possible).

Mercury

Mercury is a heavy metal that's naturally found in the environment. It's also quite toxic to humans: long-term exposure can not only heighten the risk of cancer, but it can also damage blood vessels—which can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs. Fish consumption is the main source of chronic mercury exposure. (Shark, swordfish, tile fish, and king mackerel are known to have an especially high mercury content.) Mercury naturally makes its way into water from the earth's crust, and it gradually moves through the food chain—first entering algae and bacteria, then fish and shellfish, and then humans. If you consume high amounts of seafood and shellfish, a mercury test kit to check your body’s mercury levels may help you understand if your diet is contributing to abnormal amounts of mercury.

Cadmium

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Cadmium is used widely in industrial activities such as battery production. Long-term exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased risk of cancer, and excess cadmium builds up in organs like the liver and kidneys—which can cause these organs to stop working properly. If you may have been exposed to high levels of this toxic metal, be sure to contact your healthcare provider right away and consider taking a heavy metal poisoning test. Inhalation of cigarette smoke is the most common source of exposure to cadmium, and smokers have levels of cadmium approximately twice as high as those of nonsmokers. You can also be exposed to cadmium by eating cadmium-rich foods like liver, mushrooms, shellfish, mussels, cocoa powder, and dried seaweed. In the United States, it’s estimated that about 2 out of every 100 people have elevated cadmium levels. Metal workers and those involved in the manufacturing of batteries, plastics, and solar panels are especially at risk of cadmium exposure.

Bromine

Bromine has no known beneficial function in the body, and long-term exposure to bromine can lead to headaches, slurred speech, drowsiness, and impaired memory (among other consequences). Bromine exists as a dark, reddish-brown liquid at room temperature. Found naturally in the earth's crust and in seawater, bromine is also used in chemical products like water disinfectants, pesticides, flame retardants, and even certain food preservatives. Exposure to bromine can occur by drinking food or water contaminated with bromine, coming into direct contact with liquid bromine, and by breathing in the fumes of bromine gas. Our Heavy Metals test kit includes a bromine test so you can check your body’s levels of this toxic element.

Selenium

Selenium plays an important role in the body's defense against free radical damage. (Free radicals are unstable compounds that can form in the body and "attack" important parts of cells, like DNA.) Selenium is also involved in metabolism and immune system function. Your body can't make selenium, so you get it from the food you eat. Selenium-containing foods include brazil nuts, seafood, organ meats and/or animals raised in regions with selenium-rich soil. Meat is generally a good source of selenium, while fruits and vegetables are usually poor sources of this key nutrient. However, long-term exposure or acute ingestion (single exposure to high amounts of selenium in a short period of time) to high amounts of selenium can result in selenium poisoning-or selenosis. Signs of selenosis can include patchy hair loss, brittle fingernails with white spots on the surface, decreased cognitive function, nausea, fatigue, and a breath that has a garlic-like odor. The Everlywell Heavy Metals Test includes a selenium lab test so you can understand if your selenium levels may be too low or too high.

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Iodine

Iodine is a mineral that’s essential to your health because your thyroid gland uses it to build important hormones. Taking an iodine test (included with the Heavy Metals Test) can help you check if your levels are within a normal range. Your body can’t make iodine, so instead you get it from the food you eat. Common dietary sources of iodine include cheese, cow’s milk, eggs, seaweed (including kelp, dulse, nori), saltwater fish, and iodized table salt. If you think you aren’t getting enough iodine through your diet, talking with your healthcare provider and taking an iodine deficiency test may be some good next steps to take. If you aren't getting enough iodine from your diet, your thyroid gland won’t be able to create enough of its hormones and send them throughout the body—which can result in a condition known as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). But too much iodine can lead to an excessive amount of thyroid hormones, potentially causing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

everlywell.com - At-Home Heavy Metal Testing | Everlywell

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