Provocative Assessment Test for Heavy Metals

Key Benefit: This is a test to identify heavy metal levels. Certain levels can adversely affect health in numerous ways. This test is a more comprehensive heavy metal test than the hair analysis; it is usually used if the hair analysis suggests a heavy metal burden.

What is the Provocative Test for Heavy Metals?

This heavy metals test uses a patient’s urine to determine heavy metal loads in the individual’s body. Chelating agents (in particular EDTA and DMSA) are administered to the patient, and a urine sample is then compared to a baseline sample, which is collected prior to the administration of chelating agents, in order to provide information about which types of heavy metals have been stored in fat tissue since the chelating agent binds them and flushes them out of the system in urine.

Why are certain amounts of heavy metals dangerous to have in the body?

Enzymes are essential for digestion. But did you know that almost every process in the body that requires something to happen requires an enzyme? For these enzymes to work, they need a trace mineral to give it the spark it needs to function. For example, the thyroid needs iodine. The thyroid stimulates metabolism to produce more energy to make ATP, but in order to produce that energy to break down fat, you need cobalt, zinc, copper and iron.

These trace minerals can be displaced by heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum, just to name a few. A proactive test for heavy metals identifies heavy metal burdens. Certain levels adversely affect health and can potentially cause premature aging, memory lapses, neurological deficits or diminished circulation (see also Hair Analysis for additional information).