SOURCES:

Fish, shellfish, plants, cigarettes, soil, air, water, electronic devices, switches and closures for the semi-conductor industry, glass for medical procedures.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Some of its toxic effects results from interference with biological functions of potassium.

Fecal 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% is excreted in urine. Tl is rapidly and near completely absorbed when ingested, inhaled or brought into contact with skin.

Thallium is a highly toxic heavy metal which is generally tasteless and odorless, and doesn’t have physiological functions in the body.

Severe, painful neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms occur from thallium poisoning; alopecia is the most characteristic sign, as it is coupled with a black pigment at the hair root. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported. Thallium exposure may occur due to soil contamination with thallium-containing pesticides although they have been banned since 1972. Specimens used for thallium detection include urine, which is the main route of excretion, and hair. Blood levels have been measured, but thallium is rapidly cleared, so exposure must be acute to achieve accurate results. Treatment for high thallium levels include Prussian blue, DMSA, or activated charcoal for ingested thallium. BAL, D-penicillamine and EDTA are contraindicated.

SOURCES:

Fish, shellfish, plants, cigarettes, soil, air, water, electronic devices, switches and closures for the semi-conductor industry, glass for medical procedures.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Some of its toxic effects results from interference with biological functions of potassium.

This calculation includes the daily metabolites of cortisol (5-alpha THF, THF) and cortisone (THE) which maybe a better representation of daily cortisol output than measuring cortisol and cortisone alone due to metabolism differences in the liver (with thyroid hormone) and fatty tissues.

This calculation includes the daily metabolites of cortisol (5-alpha THF, THF) and cortisone (THE) which maybe a better representation of daily cortisol output than measuring cortisol and cortisone alone due to metabolism differences in the liver (with thyroid hormone) and fatty tissues.

High levels can indicate increased cortisol secretion or hyperthyroidism.

Low levels may indicate decreased cortisol secretion or hypothyroidism.

THF (Tetrahydrofolate) is the fundamental, active form of folate from which all other folate derivatives are made. It supports DNA synthesis, cell growth, and the production of methyl donors needed for healthy methylation. Measuring THF helps assess folate status, nutrient metabolism, and cellular function, especially when evaluating methylation or one-carbon metabolism.

Thorium is a naturally occurring element found at very low levels in the air, food and drinking water. It is not easily taken up by your body. It is unlikely that health effects will occur in the general population.

Sources:

Rocks, soil, water, plants, ceramics, gas lantern mantles, metals in the aerospace industry and nuclear reactors reactions, fuel for nuclear energy and mining. 

Nutrient interactions:

unknown

Physiological effects:

Th can damage chromosomes.

Clinical significance:

Exposure may lead to increased risk of certain cancers including gallbladder, liver, and leukemia, as well as cirrhosis. Inhaled Th (mainly among workers exposed to Th dus) can cause lung damage many years after being exposed

Urinary thorium (Th) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the radioactive metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. This test measures Th232 which is the most abundant, naturally occurring radioactive isotope of Th.

Th is found almost everywhere in the earth’s crust, so exposure to small amounts of Th from air, food and water is unavoidable. Th is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is found at low levels in soil, rocks, water, plants, and animals. Th is almost as abundant in the earth’s crust as lead, and three times more abundant than uranium (U238).

Threonine is a large neutral amino acid and a precursor for the amino acid glycine. Foods that contain relatively high amounts of threonine include cheeses (especially Swiss), meat, fish, poultry, seeds, walnuts, cashews, almonds and peanuts. Threonine gets converted to glycine using a two-step biochemical pathway involving the enzymes threonine dehydrogenase and the vitamin B6-dependent glycine C-acetyltransferase.