• Why is Metals Testing Important?
• What is the Test Recommended for?
• How Much Does the Metals Test Cost?
• Treatment Options
• Benefits of the Metals Test
• Order the Metals Test

Why is Metals Testing Important?

The test is important for measuring toxic metals that can impede development and normal brain functioning, as well as measuring levels of minerals essential for normal growth and good health.

Toxic metals, such as mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium and others, can affect development, neurological functioning and overall health. Today, with increasing pollution levels, presence of toxic metals in the environment is constantly growing. Chemical products, fertilizers, industrial paint, building materials, fish, silver dental fillings, and vaccines are just some of the sources of heavy metals in everyday life. Toxic metals may normally be present in the body in very low levels, but continuous exposure or metabolic abnormalities can cause accumulation of heavy metals in body tissues, and subsequently, in the brain. Many symptoms of heavy metals poisoning are identical to symptoms of neurological and psychiatric disorders, Therefore, it is difficult or impossible to identify their cause without expert laboratory testing.

It is equally important to measure levels of minerals, which play an essential part in numerous physiochemical reactions within body cells. These reactions include receiving nutrients, filtering, emulsifying, absorbing vitamins, transforming energy and eliminating toxins, among many others. Toxic overload and metabolic imbalances favor minerals depletion.

Test results frequently show high heavy metal levels coupled with low mineral levels in people with developmental and neurological disorders, chronic fatigue, as well as apparently healthy individuals not feeling “a 100 percent”. Our nutritional counselor will help you interpret test results and explain ways to bring metal levels to normal.

The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. can check metal levels in hair, urine, blood and stool, using samples appropriate for each specific situation. How can you determine the most sensitive and exact testing method for your case?

Hair:
is ideal for initial evaluation because of easy sample collection procedures, accuracy and economic price. Blood, which contains high levels of metals immediately after exposure, transports them to body tissues and hair follicles well supplied by blood vessels. Toxic elements get incorporated and stored for several years in hair proteins evaluated in our test.

The hair test also provides exact ratios between nutrients and toxic metals. The results show levels of 39 toxic and essential elements, 5 ratios and come with an individual interpretation.

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Blood
blood test is best for detecting recent heavy metals poisoning and for measuring levels of minerals in the body.

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Urine and fecal
Urine and fecal tests are most adequate after taking a chelating agent. Chelating agents help extract heavy metals deposited in the tissues and bone. These tests are also important for evaluating the efficiency of chelating treatments since they measure levels of metals excreted from the tissues during the chelation. Urine and fecal elements tests are not recommended unless you are using a chelating agent before sample collection. This test measures the following toxic elements: Antimony, Arsenic, Berylium, Bismuth, Cadminun, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, Thallium, Tungsten and Uranium.

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What is the Test Recommended for?

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How much does the Metals Test Cost?

The test kit is free; please see our price list for current processing charges including courier charges (for US residents) and a full report, along with professional consultation concerning test results.

Other questions about cost are answered in our Testing FAQ and Insurance & Payment Information.

Treatment Options

Depending on the results, chelation therapy (elimination of toxic metals) can be recommended. Different types of chelating agents are used by different medical professionals, and they include oral, transdermal and IV products. You should consult your doctor to choose the best chelating agent for your situation. You can contact us if you need help finding a chelation specialist. If deficiencies of essential minerals are detected, their levels may need to be increased in the diet or in the supplement form.

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Benefits of the Metals Testing

• Identifying heavy metals toxicity and minerals deficiencies, both of which can be important factors in disease or developmental disorders.
• Consultation about results is included with each test at The Great Plains Laboratory.

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