Description
Nutrient & Toxic Metal Profile (P4)
3-5ml EDTA Blood – ICP-MS
What does this test measure?
This blood test simultaneously measures levels of common heavy metals (toxins) such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc., and essential trace elements like magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, and iron. Using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) allows very sensitive detection of these metals.
Who is this test most suitable for?
- Individuals in mining or industrial jobs (metal exposure)
- People living near environmental contamination (old paint – lead, polluted water – arsenic)
- Traditional medicine users (some herbal remedies contain heavy metals)
- People on supplements (to ensure minerals not in excess)
Clinical Use
Clinically, this panel is used to check for heavy metal poisoning or excessive exposure (for example, high lead levels in an industrial worker or high mercury levels in someone who eats a lot of large fish), while also reviewing whether important minerals are within a normal range (since deficiencies or excesses can cause health issues).
It’s often part of an investigation for patients with unexplained symptoms like neuropathy or fatigue where metal toxicity is suspected, or for monitoring patients undergoing chelation therapy to remove metals (to see if levels are coming down). At the same time, it informs if a person has adequate levels of nutrients such as iron (for anemia) or magnesium (for muscle and cardiac health).
