Heavy metals (lead, mercury)
Measures exposure to lead, mercury and other metals from work, water, fish or supplements.
TypeBlood · Urine
HowBlood draw (lead, mercury) or urine (some other metals).
How oftenWhen exposure is known or likely.
BeforeAvoid seafood for a few days before arsenic or mercury urine tests.
WhoPeople with work, hobby or home exposure.
Test when there’s a real exposure
Metals like lead, mercury and arsenic can harm health. Testing is useful when there’s a known exposure - work, old paint, contaminated water - not as a general wellness screen.
Blood test
“Recent exposure?”
Best for lead and recent exposure.
Standard
“Provoked” urine
“What about chelation tests?”
Urine tests after chelating drugs aren’t recommended - they give misleading results.
Avoid
Find the source
“Where is it coming from?”
Removing the source matters more than the number.
Action
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You work with metals, batteries, paint or ammunition.
- You live in an older home with lead pipes or paint.
- You eat a lot of high-mercury fish.
A better option if…
- You feel unwell with no exposure - “provoked” urine tests after chelation aren’t valid.
How it’s measured
Blood lead / mercury
Standard tests.
Urine metals
For arsenic and some others.
The full picture
What is it?
Tests for toxic metals in blood or urine.
What type of test is it?
A blood or urine test.
What does it measure?
Levels of lead, mercury and other metals.
Why might someone consider it?
To check suspected exposure.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with likely exposure.
How is it performed?
A blood draw or urine sample.
How often might it be considered?
When exposure is suspected.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether levels are raised.
What are its limitations?
Provoked tests are misleading; single results reflect recent exposure.
What should it be viewed with?
Exposure history and kidney function.
Where to get it
Through your provider
Usually ordered when symptoms or results point to it.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp - typically with a provider order.
Specialists
Your provider may refer you to a specialist to interpret it.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Is my exposure enough to test?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Heavy metals result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Heavy metals result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test