Toxic & Essential Elements Profile

Description

Toxic & Essential Elements Profile

What does this test measure?

This urine test focuses on measuring a range of essential and toxic elements
to assess both nutritional status and exposure to toxins. It evaluates:

• Iodine and bromine, as iodine is essential for thyroid function, while
  bromine can interfere with iodine absorption
• Selenium, which is important for antioxidant enzymes and thyroid health
• Lithium, a trace element that may influence mood at nutritional levels
• Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury

By analysing the iodine levels in urine, the test can help determine if an
individual is iodine-deficient, which is important for thyroid health. The
presence of toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, mercury) indicates potential
exposure to these harmful metals.

Who is this test most suitable for?

• Individuals with low-salt diet (iodized salt is main iodine source, so
  deficiency risk)
• Smokers (cadmium exposure from cigarettes)
• People eating high seafood (mercury) or seaweed (iodine, could be high)
• Residents of areas with high arsenic well water

Clinical Use

This profile might be used in comprehensive thyroid evaluations (low iodine
could cause hypothyroidism) or in an environmental exposure check for someone
with known risk. It’s also useful for those on iodine supplementation
(ensuring not excessive) or those living in areas with arsenic in water (to
confirm exposure). Creatinine is measured to normalize these excretion values.