Heavy Metals Profile I, Whole Blood is a panel that measures concentrations of toxic heavy metals—typically including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium—in whole blood, reflecting recent or ongoing exposure. Whole blood is the preferred matrix for detecting acute or active exposure, as most heavy metals distribute rapidly into erythrocytes and plasma before redistribution to tissues. This panel is used in occupational health surveillance, environmental exposure assessment, and clinical toxicology evaluation. Heavy metals enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal absorption and are transported in blood bound to erythrocytes, plasma proteins, or as free ions before accumulating in target organs such as the kidneys, liver, brain, and bone. Each metal has a distinct half-life in blood: lead persists for approximately 30–35 days, inorganic mercury for 3–5 days, arsenic for 2–4 days, and cadmium for 75–130 days, meaning blood levels primarily reflect recent exposure rather than total body burden. Chronic low-level exposure may not be fully captured by blood measurements alone, and complementary matrices such as urine or hair may be required for comprehensive assessment.
This blood test checks for several harmful metals—such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium—that can enter the body through certain jobs, foods, water, or the environment. The test measures how much of these metals are in your blood right now, which helps identify if you have been recently exposed. High levels can affect your brain, kidneys, heart, and other organs over time, so finding elevated levels early is important. A normal result is reassuring but does not always rule out past exposure that may have built up in your body's tissues. Your doctor will review your results along with your health history and any symptoms you may have.
When elevated: Elevated levels of one or more heavy metals in whole blood indicate significant recent or ongoing exposure and warrant prompt clinical evaluation, source identification, and exposure reduction. Depending on the metal and concentration, elevated results may be associated with neurological symptoms, renal impairment, cardiovascular effects, or increased cancer risk. Occupational or environmental sources should be investigated, and referral to a toxicologist or occupational medicine specialist may be appropriate. When low: Low or undetectable blood levels of heavy metals generally suggest absence of significant recent exposure and are reassuring in the context of acute toxicity screening. However, low blood levels do not exclude chronic past exposure or tissue-level accumulation, particularly for metals such as lead and cadmium that sequester in bone and kidney, respectively. Ongoing monitoring may still be warranted in high-risk occupational or environmental settings.
Heavy metals exposure is not typically a primary performance concern for most athletes, unless training occurs near high-traffic areas, industrial zones, or contaminated water sources (e.g., urban runners, water sports athletes). Chronic low-level exposure can impair oxygen transport, mitochondrial function, and recovery; this panel is most relevant for athletes in occupational or environmental risk settings rather than general performance monitoring.
Turnaround Time
7 days (up to 12 days)
Fasting Required
No
Order online
Choose your lab and check out. We send your lab requisition automatically — no doctor visit needed.
Get your sample collected
Visit a lab service center near you for a quick blood draw (or book at-home phlebotomy where available).
See your results
Your results land in your Insider portal, ready to review and act on — that easy.
Your price
$131.00$395
3.0× less than retail
Versus the typical direct-to-consumer retail price for this test (illustrative — consumer prices vary by provider and region).
$131.00
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