The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Urine is a comprehensive analysis of toxic and potentially toxic heavy metals excreted in the urine and at the same time the levels of essential nutrients (Micronutrients and Trace Elements) are evaluated.
Acute heavy metal poisoning is rare. Chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals is more common and can lead to their significant deposition in the body, which has been linked to a wide range of adverse health effects and the development of chronic diseases.
The Heavy Metals Extended Profile, Urine 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 Profile, Urine 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 adverse health effects of heavy metals depend on their actual concentrations in the "target" organs. In every individual and in every organ or tissue, toxicity occurs when the concentration exceeds the normal tolerance levels. To assess the overall quantity of heavy metals in the body, a comparison of urinary metal levels before and after administration of a metal-removing drug (chelating agent) such as EDTA, DMSA, and DMPS can be used. Different agents have different affinities for specific metals, but they all work by mobilizing "hidden" metals from tissues and excreting them in the urine.
The Urine Test for Micronutrients and Trace Elements is useful for:
- Assessing a person's nutritional status and nutrition-related diseases
- Evaluating the effectiveness of the dietary supplements one is taking
- Measuring nutrient loss during heavy metal removal therapies. Agents used to remove heavy metals (eg chelating agents) can significantly increase the simultaneous excretion of nutrients such as zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum
- Evaluating the renal function. An early sign of kidney failure can be the loss of essential nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium
- Evaluating the acid-base balance and water balance of the organism
Urine is not the ideal sample for identifying nutritional deficiencies (blood and hair are an excellent alternative).
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)!
