Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment in the air, water and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form and considered a carcinogenic heavy metal.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and food, with exposure most often coming from contaminated groundwater, rice, grains, seafood, or certain workplaces. While small amounts are common in daily life, elevated arsenic in urine suggests recent or ongoing exposure at a level that may increase health risks. Long-term exposure is linked to skin changes, digestive upset, fatigue, immune suppression, kidney and liver stress, cardiovascular problems, and higher cancer risk, especially from inorganic arsenic in water or food. Testing for arsenic helps identify hidden sources of exposure so you can take steps to reduce risk—such as using filtered water, limiting high-arsenic foods, and avoiding older pesticides or arsenic-treated wood. If results are elevated, working with a healthcare provider familiar with environmental medicine can help guide safe detox and long-term protection.

Sources:

Found in water, air, soil, cigarettes, and cosmetics. Food grown in contaminated water sources, such as rice and vegetables, or fish, are a common source. Major sources of occupational exposureis the manufacture of pesticides, herbicides, and agricultural products.

90% of all arsenic produced is used as a preservative for wood to prevent rotting and decay. Copper chromated arsenate (CCA), also known as pressure-treated wood, wasphased out for residential use in 2003, but wood treated prior could still be in existing structures. CCA-treated wood is still used in industrial applications. 

Organic arsenic found in seafood is relatively nontoxic, while the inorganic forms are toxic.

Arsenic, a toxic heavy metal, can accumulate in the body. It may be of an organic or inorganic (toxic form) source. High levels cause GI distress, kidney problems, skin, heart and nervous system changes in health.

Arsenic is an element found in nature, and in man-made products, including some pesticides. Arsenic is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. It is found in water, air, food, and soil.

Sources:

Found in water, air, soil, cigarettes, and cosmetics. Food grown in contaminated water sources, such as rice and vegetables, or fish, are a common source. Major sources of occupational exposureis the manufacture of pesticides, herbicides, and agricultural products.

90% of all arsenic produced is used as a preservative for wood to prevent rotting and decay. Copper chromated arsenate (CCA), also known as pressure-treated wood, wasphased out for residential use in 2003, but wood treated prior could still be in existing structures. CCA-treated wood is still used in industrial applications. 

Organic arsenic found in seafood is relatively nontoxic, while the inorganic forms are toxic.

The "Arsenic, Blood" marker on the "Heavy Metals Profile I, Blood" panel from LabCorp is a crucial test for assessing exposure to arsenic, a toxic heavy metal with significant health implications. Arsenic exposure can occur through various means, including contaminated water, certain foods, industrial processes, and occupational exposure in industries like mining and smelting.

Measuring arsenic levels in blood is essential for detecting recent exposure, as arsenic is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream and redistributed to organs and tissues. Elevated blood arsenic levels can lead to acute symptoms like gastrointestinal distress, cardiac problems, and severe skin manifestations. Chronic exposure, even at lower levels, is particularly concerning, as it can result in long-term health issues like skin lesions, increased risk of cancers (especially skin, bladder, and lung), cardiovascular diseases, and neurotoxicity. For certain forms of organic arsenic, such as those found in seafood, the toxicity is much lower, and these forms are rapidly eliminated from the body; however, inorganic arsenic, found in contaminated water and certain foods, is highly toxic.

Arsenic is an element found in nature, and in man-made products, including some pesticides. Arsenic is widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. It is found in water, air, food, and soil.

Function:

Arthritic peptide, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, is an endogenous molecule associated with joints. This cytoplasmic enzyme catalyzes the second step of glycolysis and is found at low levels in serum. Arthritic peptide can stimulate KRN T cells when processed and presented by antigen presenting cells.

Antibodies Appear:

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease [1]

Osteoarthritis [2]

Rheumatoid Arthritis [1, 2, 3]

Known Cross-Reactions:

gliadin, dairy proteins, pork [4]

Function:

Saccharomyces cerevisae, baker’s yeast, contains Chl1p, a putative helicase with human homologs (antiSaccharamyces cerevisae antibody – ASCA), which is required for DNA repair, recombination, transcriptional silencing and aging. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are a group of autoantibodies against antigens in the cytoplasm of neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes.

Antibodies Appear:

Behçet’s Syndrome with GI Involvement

Crohn’s Disease

Long-term use of Anti-Thyroid Medication

Ulcerative Colitis5 Vasculitis

Saccharomyces cerevisae, baker’s yeast, contains Chl1p, a putative helicase with human homologs (antiSaccharamyces cerevisae antibody – ASCA). It is required for DNA repair, recombination, transcriptional silencing and aging. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are a group of autoantibodies produced against antigens in the cytoplasm of neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes.

Known Cross-Reactions: Mannan, enteric bacterial antigens

Antibodies Appear: Crohn’s disease, Sjögren’s syndrome