Urine Mercury (FMV/Random)

What this laboratory test evaluates

Early signs of excessive Hg exposure include: decreased senses of touch, hearing, vision and taste, metallic taste in mouth, fatigue or lack of physical endurance, and increased salivation. Symptoms may progress with moderate or chronic exposure to include: anorexia, numbness and paresthesias, headaches, hypertension, irritability and excitability, and immune suppression/dysregulation. Advanced disease processes from excessive Hg assimilation include: tremors and incoordination, anemia, psychoses, manic behaviors, possibly autoimmune disorders and renal dysfunction or failure. Note that in Hg exposure of long duration, renal excretion of Hg (and normal metabolites) may become impaired, and the urine level of Hg might be only mildly elevated or not elevated at all due to renal failure.

Mercury is used in: dental amalgams (50% by weight), explosive detonators; some vaccines, pure liquid form in thermometers, barometers, and laboratory equipment; batteries and electrodes,some medications and Ayurveic herbs, fungicides and pesticides, and in the paper industry. The fungicide/pesticide use of mercury has declined due to environmental concerns, but Hg residues persist in the environment. Emissions from coal-fired power plants and hospital/municipal incinerators are significant sources of mercury pollution.

Methylmercury, the most common, organic form of Hg, occurs by methylation of inorganic Hg in aquatic biota or sediments (both freshwater and ocean sediments). Methylmercury accumulates in aquatic animals and fish and is concentrated up the food chain reaching highest concentrations in large fish and predatory birds. Except for fish, the human intake of dietary mercury is negligible unless the food is contaminated with one of the previously listed forms/sources. Daily ingestion of fish can result in the assimilation of 1 to 10 micrograms of mercury/day.

Depending upon the extent of cumulative Hg exposure, elevated levels of urine Hg may occur after administration of DMPS, DMSA or D-penicillamine. Blood and especially red blood cellelemental analyses are useful for assessing recent or ongoing exposure to organic (methyl) Hg.

Additional test information

Urine Elements are traditionally used to evaluate exposure to potentially toxic elements and wasting of nutrient elements. Additionally, the comparison of urine element concentrations before and after administration of a chelator can be used to estimate net retention of potentially toxic elements. Subsequent urine element analyses, also following the administration of a chelator, are useful for monitoring the efficacy of metal detoxification therapy. Results are expressed per 24 hours or creatinine corrected to account for urine dilution effects.

Collection and processing

• Sample type: Urine
• Fasting: No
• Estimated laboratory processing: Results should arrive 5 to 7 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 Environmental Toxicity and ask whether this test is appropriate for your clinical question.