Toxic & Essential Elements (Whole Blood)
Whole Blood
Performed by: Doctor's Data
Blood elemental analysis should be performed prior to the initiation of, and intermittently during, metal detoxification. Toxic metals disrupt essential element metabolism and are antagonistic to some elements such as cadmium to zinc and lead to calcium. Further, commonly utilized metal detoxification agents can cause significantly increased urinary wasting of some essential elements.
Analysis of toxic elements/metals in whole blood is useful for assessment of recent or ongoing exposure to the toxins, but does not provide accurate information about net retention of toxic metals in the body. For example, blood lead levels peak about five hours after acute exposure and then decrease exponentially with a half-life in blood of about one month. Evaluation and elimination of ongoing exposure to toxic metals is another important component of efficient metal detoxification.
Accurate assessment of essential element status in the most appropriate compartment is highly recommended for determination of appropriate supplementation. The absorption, transport and metabolism of essential elements is highly integrated and regulated. Inappropriate supplementation or dietary imbalance of elements can have significant adverse health effects. For example, excess intake of zinc or molybdenum can result in copper deficiency and excess assimilation of manganese can have serious neurotoxic effects that are expressed as Parkinson's-like disease.
Whole blood analysis is an excellent test for measuring the levels of both intracellular and extracellular circulating elements. Extracellular elements have functions in serum/plasma or are transported to tissues in serum/plasma associated with specific proteins or albumen. Intracellular elements have very specific functions as obligatory constituents of metalloproteins/enzymes in red blood cells and lymphocytes. The red and white blood cells serve as surrogate cells representative of peripheral cells in general. Some essential elements, such as selenium, are portioned in and have important physiological roles in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments. Likewise, the toxic metal lead is transported in both the fluid and cellular (red blood cells) compartments of blood. Therefore, measurement of elements in both blood compartments permits a more complete evaluation of total blood element levels.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Exposure to arsenic-laden drinking water can induce symptoms of gastroenteritis and lead to cancer, diabetes, and neurological and vascular dysfunction. Long-term arsenic exposure in drinking water shows a dose-response relationship to carotid athero
Learn moreBarium is used in X-ray contrast media and in some salts for enemas. Many foods contain small concentrations of barium, and it responds somewhat like calcium, magnesium, and strontium to physiological controls. Symptoms of high barium include gastroi
Learn moreThe principal organs most vulnerable to cadmium toxicity are kidney and lung. Environmental cadmium exposure is associated with renal tubular damage and high blood pressure. Cadmium toxicity impacts the kidney, where damage to proximal tubules has be
Learn moreCalcium is essential for bones and teeth, heart, nerves, muscles, and blood clotting. Calcium’s actions are as wide ranging as neuronal excitation, neurotransmitter release, innate immunity, hormonal secretion, and tone of smooth muscle cells i
Learn moreChromium, when measured in whole blood as part of a Toxic and Essential Elements panel, provides valuable insights into the body's chromium status, which is pivotal for various physiological functions. Chromium is a trace element essential for hu
Learn moreCobalt (Co) is an essential trace element due to its well-known role in vitamin B12, important in hematopoiesis and thyroid function. The consequences of B12 deficiency are well known, including central nervous system complaints, pernicious anemia, a
Learn moreCopper, a trace element, is a crucial component on a Toxic and Essential Elements panel when assessed in whole blood. It plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes, acting as a key cofactor in various enzymatic reactions. Copper is integr
Learn moreLead toxicity causes paralysis and pain in the extremities due to effects on demyelinization, axonal degeneration, and presynaptic block. Lead toxicity commonly affects sensory, visual, auditory, and cerebellar (coordination) functions, reflecting it
Learn moreLithium, a chemical element represented by the symbol Li, is both a therapeutic agent and a potential toxicant, prominently featured in Toxic and Essential Elements panels for whole blood testing. Medically, lithium is primarily used in the treatment
Learn moreMagnesium, when measured in whole blood, is an essential element of the Toxic and Essential Elements panel, offering significant insights into a person's metabolic and physiological status. As an essential mineral, magnesium plays a pivotal role
Learn moreManganese, a trace element found in whole blood, plays a pivotal role in human health and is measured in a Toxic and Essential Elements panel. As an essential nutrient, manganese is crucial for several biological processes, including bone formation,
Learn moreMercury intoxication is associated with a triad of symptoms: (1) mental changes, (2) spontaneous tremor and deficits in psychomotor performance, and (3) stomatitis and gingivitis. The toxic effects of mercury have been associated with neurological dy
Learn moreMolybdenum supplementation has been shown to reduce sulfite sensitivity, a condition marked by asthma, shortness of breath, edema, dermatitis, and possible anaphylaxis by increasing sulfite oxidase activity, in patients with low blood molybdenum. Fra
Learn moreDeficiency of nickel is associated with poor growth and reproductive dysfunction. Nickel has been shown to work in a cooperative way with calcium, iron, and zinc. Chronic exposure to some forms of nickel via inhalation is carcinogenic. Mucosal tissue
Learn morePlatinum and platinum alloys are used in surgical tools, laboratory utensils, dentistry, jewelry, silicone breast implants, electrical resistance wires, automobile catalytic converters, optical fibers, and liquid crystal display glass, especially for
Learn moreSelenium, a trace element found in the whole blood, is a significant component of the Toxic and Essential Elements panel, offering vital insights into an individual's nutritional status and potential toxic exposure. As an essential micronutrient,
Learn moreStrontium incorporates into hydroxyl crystal lattice of bone, stimulates new cortical and cancellous bone formation, and decreases bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. There are a number of stable isotopes of strontium, including
Learn moreSevere, painful neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms occur from thallium poisoning; alopecia is the most characteristic sign, as it is coupled with a black pigment at the hair root. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported. Thallium ex
Learn moreTungsten is found in electric lamps, television tubes, car distributors, electrical furnaces, and x-ray targets. It is used in metal evaporation work. Inhaled tungsten has been associated with pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and neurosensory and cog
Learn moreUranium (U) is an abundant element on earth. Its widespread use in military and industry, including nuclear power, has increased human exposure. Uranium can be ingested or inhaled and is cleared in urine rapidly, although some will pool in bone and k
Learn moreSome studies suggest vanadium has a role in glucose and lipid metabolism, red blood cell formation, and thyroid function. Vanadium assessment and treatment may be indicated in cases of metabolic syndrome or non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus due
Learn moreZinc, a trace element found in nearly every cell of the human body, is an essential component measured in the Toxic and Essential Elements panel using a whole blood sample. This panel assesses the levels of various elements that are vital for health,
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