Metals – Toxic + Nutrient Elements – Hair

What this laboratory test evaluates

MosaicDX offers a number of testing options for assessing nutrient and toxic (heavy metals) elements, including hair, red blood cells, whole blood, urine, and stool.

The most applicable sample type can be determined by considering several factors, including toxicokinetics, dose, length of exposure, route of exposure, and half-life. By using multiple sample types, practitioners can choose the most clinically relevant option. To gain a better understanding, please read on below.

Specimen Type Overview• Urine (20-38 analytes): Exposure window of 1-2 weeks. Often used as a first screening before a detox program.
• Hair (39 analytes): Exposure window of 90-120 days. Best sample for lithium status in mental health evaluation.
• Whole Blood (22 analytes): Exposure window of 120 days. Useful as a screening tool.
• Red Blood Cell (18 analytes): Exposure window of 120 days. Best sample type to see nutrient status and determine what nutrients are present in the cells of the blood.
• Stool (13 analytes): Exposure window of 24-48 hours. Reflects ingested sources of metals such as food, water, and pharmaceuticals.

Additional test information

This test is a valuable and inexpensive screen for physiological excess, deficiency, or maldistribution of elements. It provides important information that can assist in the early diagnosis of disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Hair
• Fasting: No
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 10 business days after the lab receives samples.

How Sunridge uses laboratory information

Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.

Before requesting this test

Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.

Related Sunridge care

Learn how Sunridge approaches Complex Multi-System Illness and ask whether this test is appropriate for your clinical question.