Heavy Metals Profile II, Whole Blood is a panel that measures concentrations of multiple toxic heavy metals—typically including elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury—directly in whole blood. Whole blood is the preferred matrix for detecting recent or ongoing exposure to these metals, as it reflects active absorption and distribution before urinary excretion. 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 distributed via the bloodstream to target organs including the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and bone. In whole blood, metals may be bound to erythrocytes, plasma proteins, or circulate freely, with the distribution depending on the specific metal and its chemical form. Biological half-lives vary considerably by metal—lead and cadmium accumulate in bone and kidney over years, while inorganic arsenic and mercury are cleared more rapidly, making the timing of sample collection critical for interpretation.
This blood test checks for the presence of several harmful heavy metals—such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium—in your bloodstream at the same time. These metals can enter the body through certain jobs, contaminated food or water, or environmental sources, and high levels can affect your kidneys, nervous system, and other organs over time. A result within the normal range is reassuring and suggests you have not had significant recent exposure. If any metal is found at an elevated level, your healthcare provider will work with you to identify the source and determine whether any follow-up is needed. This test is a screening and monitoring tool and should always be interpreted alongside your personal health history and exposure background.
When elevated: Elevated levels of one or more metals in this panel suggest significant recent or ongoing exposure and may indicate risk for organ-specific toxicity, including nephrotoxicity (cadmium, lead), neurotoxicity (lead, mercury, arsenic), hepatotoxicity (arsenic), or hematologic effects (lead). Chronic low-level elevations may be associated with subclinical effects on cognition, renal function, cardiovascular health, and immune regulation. High results warrant further clinical evaluation, source identification, and possible referral to occupational medicine or toxicology. When low: Levels within or below reference ranges generally indicate absence of significant recent exposure to the measured metals and are reassuring in the context of occupational or environmental screening. Very low or undetectable levels do not exclude past or chronic exposure, particularly for metals that redistribute from blood to bone or soft tissue over time. Baseline measurements in low-exposure individuals are useful for longitudinal monitoring in occupational settings.
Heavy metals are not typically performance-limiting factors for most athletes unless there is occupational or environmental exposure. This panel is relevant primarily for athletes in certain contexts—those training near heavy traffic, working in metal-processing industries, or consuming contaminated water or supplements—where accumulation could impair oxygen transport, neuromuscular function, or kidney health. For general athletic populations without specific exposure risk, routine screening is not standard practice.
Turnaround Time
3 days (up to 7 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
$155.00$465
3.0× less than retail
Versus the typical direct-to-consumer retail price for this test (illustrative — consumer prices vary by provider and region).
$155.00
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