Heavy metals - which ones to check for?
 

Which heavy metals should be checked for in case of an autoimmune neuropathy? I plan to get checked, and need to present the lab with a list of what I want to be checked for.

Mercury and lead are obvious candidates; what else should I ask for?

The others to look for high levels of--
 

--off the top of my head would be manganese (not magnesium) and arsenic.

Of course, many heavy metals would produce toxicity in large enough doses (even iron), but I'm thinking of the ones the body has little metabolic use for even in small doses.

Thanks Glenntaj. So, I have 4 on my list now. Anything else which makes sense?

Usually a "metal screen" will include the ones automatically.;)

They asked me on the phone which ones I want to get tested.. I will test as a self-paying patient, so no doctor referral. Looks like it's up to me what they test.

Then try this:

Mercury
Lead
Arsenic
cadmium
chromium (esp if you take supplements containing this)
copper/zinc ratio

This is one lab's list:

http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com...tals_urine.asp

Also, they told me they take blood to test for it. Is that the best way to test? The lab you've linked tests urine ..

What is the best way to test? blood, urine, hair?

This lab offers a rather comprehensive metal screening based on hair (http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com...etals_hair.asp) . Does that make sense? I am not entirely sure I will get tested properly and for everything in the local one I've called today.

Only certain labs test hair.... it remains controversial.

Blood testing is the best IMO.

Urine is sometimes done, also. It depends on the doctor and hospital.

There were articles on hair testing on Google, saying only really good labs can be trusted to do hair. Hair testing is done forensically in crimes, to detect poisons, and also to set a time interval.

I worked for a holistic dentist in my past that would use this test www.ccrlab.com/what.html. It tests for thousands of metals, chemicals, toxins that are present and potential culprits. The report comes in book form. I hope this helps.