Full Description
This analysis of urinary elements was performed by ICP-Mass Spectroscopy following acid digestion of the specimen. Urine element analysis is intended primarily for: diagnostic assessment of toxic element status, monitoring detoxification therapy, and identifying or quantifying renal wasting conditions. It is difficult and problematic to use urinary elements analysis to assess nutritional status or adequacy for essential elements. Blood, cell, and other elemental assimilation and retention parameters are better indicators of nutritional status.
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Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.
Toxic and 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 and 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.
Doctor's Data 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.
Detailed Information
Many clinicians request the analysis of essential elements in urine specimens to evaluate nutritional status and the efficacy of mineral supplementation during metal detoxification therapy. Metal detoxification agents can significantly increase the excretion of specific nutrient elements such as zinc, copper, manganese and molybdenum.
Chromium metabolism authorities suggest that 24-hour chromium excretion likely provides the best assessment of chromium status. Early indication of renal dysfunction can be gleaned from urinary wasting of essential elements such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium in an unprovoked specimen.
Variability in urine volume can drastically affect the concentration of elements. To compensate for urine dilution variation, elements are expressed per unit creatinine for timed collections. For 24-hour collections, elements are reported as both units per 24 hours and units per creatinine.
Usage Directions
Before You Start:
Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures. The Urine Elements analysis takes 24 hours or less to collect depending on your physician’s instructions.
It is recommended that you omit fish and shellfish from your diet for one week prior to collecting the urine specimen. If an MRI containing Gadolinium-based media has been administered a urine specimen should not be collected for a minimum of 96 hours. You should also refrain from taking non-essential medications and dietary supplements for 48 hours prior to and during the specimen collection. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician. Female patients should not collect urine during a menstrual period.
Use the provided vial and collection containers to avoid contamination of the specimen. Use of other collection materials may result in falsely elevated results.
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