Heavy Metal and Mineral Test
20+ Toxic Elements + 20+ Essential Elements
Functional Medicine Test ｜Heavy Metal Test in Hong Kong - Book an appointment with us to find out heavy metal status in your body, test procedures, and cost.
Functional Medicine Hong Kong Test Service
Excessive Exposure to Heavy Metal
We human come into contact with many chemicals and pollutants not only from working in the chemical industry or living near factories, but also from the things we eat, drink, breathe, and touch. From day to day, we are encountering various water and food safety incidents, people are starting to worry about what other potentially harmful substances they might have consumed.
Mineral Imbalance
Minerals such as Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Zinc are vital nutrients that help our bodies function properly. Our bodies cannot produce these minerals on their own. When we don’t get enough minerals from our diet or lack certain nutrients, it can affect how our bodies absorb certain minerals. Not getting the right amount of minerals can result in mineral deficiencies, which can interfere with important bodily functions.
Heavy metal buden symptoms
Usual symptoms: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, shortness of breath, tingling in your hands and feet, chills, weakness.
There are Metal-specific symptoms as well. For example, high mercury burden can cause trouble walking. Lead can cause high blood pressure, sleeping problems, anemia, headaches, and fatigue, etc. In daily life, we can exposure to heavy metal. Take lead as an example: 1. using kohl cosmetics; 2. applying hair dyes; 3. doing industrial work, and more. And it is difficult for the human body to withdraw those heavy metals, resulting, it slowly becomes poisonous over time.
Preventing high burden level of heavy metal
Heavy metal test, can help determine if your essentral minerals and the overall level of heavy metals.
Depending on your result and analysis of your overall clinical condition, we can customize a suitable detox program for you. At BMS, we apply two methods of heavy metal screening, (1) Toxic & Essential Elements; Hair (2) Toxic Metals; Urine.
We deliver the sample to a clinical laboratory, in the United States. Your sample will be tested in their facility. The test result will be available at an estimated time frame of 2 weeks. We will provide a detailed report of your result, once it is available.
Toxic & Essential Elements
Elements are the basic building blocks of all chemical compounds, and human exposure to them occurs both from natural and anthropogenic sources. Many elements are considered nutrients and are essential for the proper functioning of the body. These are generally divided between macrominerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and trace minerals, including selenium, iodine, boron, and molybdenum.
Conversely, there are a number of elements that are toxic to the human body, interfere with its functioning and undermine health—such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic. These toxic metals have no known physiological functions. They can be toxic to organ systems and may disrupt the balance of essential nutrients. Toxic metals and essential element status can be assessed in urine, blood, feces and hair.
BMS Clinic has always employed the best-available techniques as a specialist and pioneer in essential and toxic elemental testing. In fact, we were one of the first clinical reference laboratories in the world to employ ICP-MS and high-resolution ICP-MS for elemental analysis.
Reminders of preparation for the test:
- If you have any allergies, G6PD, or Kidney problems, please let your doctor know.
- If possible, avoid eating deep-sea fish and shell seafood before a week of collecting samples.
- Two days before collect samples, stop consuming supplements.
Heavy Metal Test Result
Hair - Toxic and Essential Elements
Hair Elements analysis provides information regarding recent and ongoing exposure to potentially toxic metals, especially methylmercury and arsenic, and the time-averaged status of specific nutrient elements. This non-invasive screening test requires only 0.25 grams of hair. Doctor’s Data offers a Hair Elements profile containing essential and toxic elements and a Hair Toxic Element Exposure profile containing an expanded lineup of toxic metals.
Urine - Toxic Metals
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 the 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 and Follow-Up
The results of the heavy metal tests indicate the presence of specific heavy metals in your body.
If the levels are low, it is unlikely that you have heavy metal burden. However, if you continue to experience symptoms associated with heavy metal burden, you may discuss with your doctor to order additional tests to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
On the other hand, high levels of heavy metals could indicate heavy metal burden. In such cases, it is important for you to avoid further exposure to the specific metal for a certain period of time. Your healthcare provider will provide you with instructions on how to avoid exposure. If reducing your exposure does not lead to a decrease in your heavy metal levels, and with the analysis of clinical conditions, your provider may recommend chelation therapy. Chelation therapy involves the administration of medications through injections under the supervision of your healthcare provider, with the aim of removing excess metals from your body.
Through heavy metal testing, understanding personal health
Conversely, several elements are toxic to the human body, interfere with its functioning, and undermine health—such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic. These toxic metals have no known physiological functions. They can be intoxicated to organ systems and may disrupt the balance of essential nutrients. Assessing Toxic metals and the status of the essential elements can be found in urine, blood, feces, and hair. Heavy metal testing can prevent heavy metals damage to organs. Reduce exposure to heavy metals in daily life. Also, be mindful of daily meals. Suggesting include Heavy metal testing in health checks yearly, which can make the health test more complete.
If heavy metals exceed the number of organ cells it can tolerate, it will damage the organ, causing anemia, diarrhea, nausea, and other symptoms.
FAQ
Heavy Metal Test
What is Heavy Metal Test?
A heavy metal test is performed to detect elevated levels of toxic or potentially dangerous metals in your body. These harmful heavy metals can be found in the environment, certain foods or medications, and sometimes in water. You can absorb these metals through your skin, inhalation, or ingestion.
In small amounts, these heavy metals are generally safe. However, excessive and long term exposure can lead to metal poisoning. If left untreated, overexposure to certain heavy metals can be life-threatening. If you exhibit symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, your healthcare provider may recommend a heavy metal test.
In small amounts, these heavy metals are generally safe. However, excessive and long term exposure can lead to metal poisoning. If left untreated, overexposure to certain heavy metals can be life-threatening. If you exhibit symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, your healthcare provider may recommend a heavy metal test.
Cost of Heavy Metal Testing
If you are interested, feel free to contact us. We are here for you and optimize the best solution for your health.
Methods of Heavy Metal Testing?
(1) Toxic & Essential Elements; Hair
(2) Toxic Metals; Urine.
(2) Toxic Metals; Urine.
How is it different from heavy metal testing offered elsewhere?
Our test can screen a variety range of toxic heavy metals (20 types). Most of the other service providers can only screen 5-6 types toxic heavy metals.
What are the signs of heavy metal burden?
The symptoms of heavy metal poisoning are often nonspecific and can be similar to other conditions. If you exhibit signs of metal poisoning, your healthcare provider may suggest undergoing a heavy metal test. These signs may include:
Abdominal pain
Chills
Diarrhea
Muscle weakness
Nausea or vomiting
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Tingling in your hands or feet
How long does it take the report result to be ready?
Typically, you can expect to receive the report within approximately 2-3 weeks, which accounts for sample logistics and processing time.
What is the difference between blood, urine, and hair or nail heavy metal test?
There are three methods to test mineral status, each providing insights into different aspects of the body’s condition.
Blood sample: Measures mineral levels in the bloodstream, indicating recent exposure. Recommended for suspected sudden and significant heavy metal exposure.
Urine sample: Assesses toxic metal presence, especially in provocation testing. Evaluates the body’s response to metal release.
Hair (or nail) sample: Effective for assessing chronic mineral and toxic metal exposure. Provides insights into long-term mineral accumulation
Blood sample: Measures mineral levels in the bloodstream, indicating recent exposure. Recommended for suspected sudden and significant heavy metal exposure.
Urine sample: Assesses toxic metal presence, especially in provocation testing. Evaluates the body’s response to metal release.
Hair (or nail) sample: Effective for assessing chronic mineral and toxic metal exposure. Provides insights into long-term mineral accumulation
References
Research on Heavy Metal Exposure and Human Health Effects:
- Martinez-Morata I, Sobel M, Tellez-Plaza M, Navas-Acien A. A State-of-the-Science Review on Metal Biomarkers. Current Environmental Health Reports. 2023;10(3):215–249. doi:10.1007/s40572-023-00402-x.
- Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment. EXS. 2012;101:133–164.
- Briffa J, Sinagra E, Blundell R. Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(8):2732.
Research on Toxic Metal Exposure (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium) and Chronic Disease Risk:
- Navas-Acien A, Guallar E, Silbergeld EK, Rothenberg SJ. Lead exposure and cardiovascular disease — a systematic review. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2007;115(3):472–482.
- Tellez-Plaza M, Jones MR, Dominguez-Lucas A, Guallar E, Navas-Acien A. Cadmium exposure and clinical cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 2013;15:356.
- Eom SY, Lee YC, Lee YH, et al. Lead exposure and neurological outcomes in adults. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2013.
Research on Heavy Metal Testing, Biomarkers and Exposure Assessment:
- Martinez-Morata I, Sobel M, Tellez-Plaza M, Navas-Acien A. A State-of-the-Science Review on Metal Biomarkers. Current Environmental Health Reports. 2023;10(3):215–249.
- Satarug S, Vesey DA, Gobe GC. Health Risk Assessment of Chronic Kidney Disease Associated with Chronic Exposure to Low-Level Cadmium. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017;14(10):1121.
- Adams SV, Newcomb PA. Cadmium exposure and risk of breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2015;123(8):748–754.
Research on Heavy Metal Toxicity, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mechanisms:
- Genchi G, Sinicropi MS, Lauria G, Carocci A, Catalano A. The Effects of Cadmium Toxicity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(7):2615.
- Valko M, Morris H, Cronin MTD. Metals, toxicity and oxidative stress. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2005;12(10):1161–1208.
- Kolawole TA, Palacios J, Husaini D, Nwokocha C. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Heavy Metal Toxicity: Bridging the Gap to Personalized Clinical Interventions. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2025;45(12):2546–2579.
Research on Chelation Therapy and Heavy Metal Removal:
- Lamas GA, Goertz C, Boineau R, et al. Effect of Disodium EDTA Chelation Regimen on Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Previous Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine. 2013;309(12):1241–1250.
- Lamas GA, Ergui I, Boineau R, et al. TACT Investigators. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT): long-term follow-up. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2014;63(22):2521–2532.
- Kosnett MJ. Chelation for Heavy Metal Poisoning: Principles and Practice. Clinical Toxicology. 2010;48(7):609–616.