Toxic Elements

Indications: Background exposure to lead in the UK has declined since the practice of using lead as an “anti-knock” additive in petrol was discontinued. However, occupational exposure and accidental exposure remains a problem. An annual blood test is recommended if risk assessment shows there is potential exposure to lead. Subjects with low level toxicity can…

Indications: Toxic. Blood is the preferred specimen to diagnose toxicity. Neurotox with adverse effects on fertility or foetal development. Patient Instructions: Patients are advised to avoid fish and seafish consumption for 5-7 days before providing a urine sample for this test as these foods have been shown to temporarily increase urine toxic metal levels. Included…

Indications: Toxic, sensitising; neurotoxic. Adverse effects on fertility or foetal development. Poorly handled by the renal tubule, mainly excreted by the biliary route. Blood is the preferred specimen for monitoring mercury exposure, but urine mercury increases on chelation challenge. Patient Instructions: Patients are advised to avoid fish and seafish consumption for 5-7 days before providing…

Indications: Glyphosate is the world’s most widely produced herbicide. It is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is used in more than 700 different products for agriculture and forestry to home use. Glyphosate was introduced in the 1970s to kill weeds by targeting the enzymes that produce the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. Usage of glyphosate…

Indications: Biological effects of fluoride ingestion: Fluoride is the reduced form of fluorine, which has no known biological essentiality in man. It can occur as fluoroacetate, the fluorinated calcium phosphate common in bedrock silicates. Depending on the rock's mineral content as on well as the water temperature, rainwater filtering through these strata can dissolve fluoroacetate…