Toxic Metals (Stool)
Stool
Performed by: Doctor's Data
Fecal elemental analysis provides a direct indication of dietary exposure to toxic metals and indirect information about the potential for toxic metal burden. Chronic, low-level assimilation of toxic metals can result in accumulation in the body. For many toxic metals, fecal (biliary) excretion is the primary natural route of elimination from the body. Specimen collection is convenient for the patient and only requires a single-step procedure. Elements are measured by ICP-MS and expressed on a dry weight basis to eliminate variability related to water content of the specimen.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Fecal antimony (Sb) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent Sb that has been excreted from the body in bile. Sb is a nonessential element that is chemically similar to but less toxic than inorganic a
Learn moreFecal Arsenic (As) provides an estimate of a very recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent, As that has been excreted from the body in bile. Inorganic As accumulates in hair, nails, skin, thyroid gland, bone and the gastrointe
Learn moreFecal beryllium (Be) provides an estimate of a recent oral exposure to the element. Be is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but is readily absorbed across the lungs and skin. Inhalation is the primary route of significant exposure to Be,
Learn moreFecal bismuth (Bi) provides an estimate of a recent oral exposure to the element. Bi is a non-essential element of relatively low toxicity. Absorption is dependent upon solubility of the Bi compound, with insoluble Bi excreted in the feces while solu
Learn moreFecal cadmium (Cd) provides an estimate of very recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent the biliary excretion of Cd from the body. Cd absorption is suppressed to some extent with appropriate intake of zinc, calcium, and selen
Learn moreFecal cesium (CS) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent Cs that has been excreted from the body in bile. Naturally occurring Cs is not radioactive and is referred to as stable Cs (Cs133). Cesium is
Learn moreFecal copper (Cu) provides an estimate of very recent exposure to Cu, and to some extent biliary Cu excretion. The biliary / fecal route is the main route of excretion for Cu from the body.
Learn moreFecal gadolinium (Gd) provides an indication of Gd that has been excreted from the body in bile, and to a lesser extent oral exposure. Gadolinium can be found in the environment in geographically variable amounts, and usually at very low levels. Gado
Learn moreFecal lead (Pb) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent Pb that has been excreted from the body in bile. Absorbed Pb is excreted primarily in urine (76%) and bile (16%). Lead remains the most common
Learn moreFecal manganese (Mn) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent Mn that has been excreted from the body in bile. Manganese is an essential trace element that is naturally present in many foods and avail
Learn moreFecal mercury (Hg) provides a good indication of recent or ongoing exposure to elemental Hg, and to a much lesser extent Hg that has been excreted from the body in bile. Data collected at Doctor’s Data indicates a linear association between fec
Learn moreFecal nickel (Ni) provides an estimate of very recent or ongoing oral exposure to the element. One to 10% of dietary Ni is be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood; that which is not absorbed is excreted in the feces. Nickel is pres
Learn morePlatinum (Pt) is a nonessential element that is sometimes detected in feces. However, the clinical significance of high levels of Pt in feces has not been well studied. Platinum is poorly absorbed in the gut and high level of oral exposure is unusual
Learn moreFecal thallium (Tl) provides an indication of Tl that has been excreted from the body in bile, and to a lesser extent recent oral exposure to the element. The biliary fecal route is the primary route of Tl excretion from the body, although about 35%
Learn moreFecal tungsten (W) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent W that has been excreted from the body in bile. About 50% of W appears to be rapidly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract, and excretion fro
Learn moreFecal uranium (U) provides an indication of recent oral exposure to the element, and to a much lesser extent U that has been excreted from the body in bile. The levels of U in feces has been used to estimate total daily intake of U. Most U passes thr
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