Blood Spot Toxic & Essential Elements
Blood
Performed by: ZRT Laboratory
What Is Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing?
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing is a simple, convenient method for measuring essential and toxic elements using a small sample of whole blood collected on filter paper. It's an excellent alternative to traditional liquid blood draws and offers several advantages—especially when testing elements that are stored primarily inside red blood cells, such as lead, zinc, and magnesium.
Why Use Whole Blood Instead of Serum?
Most standard blood tests analyze serum (the clear liquid part of blood), but this isn’t always the best way to detect nutrient deficiencies—especially for minerals that are mostly found inside red blood cells.
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Zinc and Lead: These elements are concentrated in red blood cells, making whole blood testing (like DBS) more accurate than serum tests.
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Magnesium: Serum magnesium levels are tightly controlled by the body’s homeostasis, often staying "normal" even when your intracellular magnesium is low. DBS provides a better view of your true magnesium status.
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Copper and Zinc: DBS testing captures both intracellular and extracellular levels, helping detect imbalances or deficiencies earlier than standard serum or plasma tests.
What About Arsenic?
Arsenic is not measured using DBS, because it is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. Instead, urine testing is the best way to assess recent arsenic exposure.
Understanding DBS Reference Ranges
It's important to note that DBS reference ranges are different from those used in serum testing. Because whole blood contains both plasma and red blood cells, levels measured in DBS are not directly comparable to serum results. For accurate interpretation, element-specific DBS reference ranges should always be used.
Key Benefits of Dried Blood Spot Testing
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Convenient: Requires only a small finger-prick sample
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Accurate: Better reflects intracellular mineral levels
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Early detection: Identifies deficiencies that serum tests may miss
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Useful for at-home testing: Easy sample collection and shipping
Dried Blood Spot testing is an effective tool for monitoring nutritional status and toxic element exposure, offering a clearer picture of your health—especially when traditional blood tests fall short.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Cadmium
Whole blood cadmium is within the normal reference range, which is a favorable finding indicating low recent exposure to this toxic metal. However, if cadmium levels are at the high end of the normal range, it is important to also measure urinary cad
Learn moreCopper
Copper is an essential trace element involved in antioxidant defense, immune response, nerve cell development, and iron metabolism. It also serves as a cofactor for numerous vital enzymes and proteins. The human body contains approximately 100 mg of
Learn moreMagnesium
Magnesium is a vital mineral and cofactor involved in approximately 600 enzymatic reactions. It plays a key role in: Protein synthesis DNA and RNA production Reproductive health Cellular energy generation and storage
Learn moreMercury
Whole blood mercury levels are within the normal reference range, which suggests no recent excessive exposure. However, values in the high-normal range may still warrant investigation to identify and reduce possible sources of mercury exposure. Ov
Learn moreRatio: Zn/Cu
The zinc-to-copper ratio (Zn/Cu ratio) is a key indicator of trace mineral balance in the body. Both zinc and copper are essential nutrients that support numerous physiological functions, but they also act in opposition in several biological processe
Learn moreSelenium
Whole blood selenium levels are within the normal reference range. This measurement reflects long-term selenium status, while urinary selenium levels are better indicators of recent intake. Selenium is an essential trace element with critical role
Learn moreZinc
Zinc is an essential trace element that serves as a co-factor for over 300 enzymes and plays a critical role in numerous biological functions. It is necessary for cell growth and division, DNA synthesis, wound healing, taste perception, immune and th
Learn more