Barium

Optimal Result: 0 - 2 µg/g.

Hair may be used to evaluate exposure to barium (Ba). Exogenous contamination has been observed from bath water containing Ba. Elevated levels of hair Ba are often observed as a result of exposure to Ba for diagnostic medical tests.

Ba has not been established to be an essential element. Elevated levels of Ba may interfere with calcium metabolism and potassium retention. Acutely high intakes of soluble Ba salts (nitrates, sulfides, chlorides) can be toxic. Chronic exposure to Ba may be manifested by muscular and myocardial stimulation, tingling in the extremities, and loss of tendon reflexes. Due to its high density, Ba is utilized to absorb radiation and is utilized in concrete shields around nuclear reactors and in plaster to line x-ray rooms. The main use of Ba in medicine is as a contrast medium. Long-term retention of Ba can occur and granuloma of the traverse colon has been reported after diagnostic use of barium sulfate. Crystalline Ba titanate is a ceramic compound which is used in capacitors and transducers. Ba is also used to produce pigments in paints and decorative glass. Soluble Ba compounds are highly toxic and may be used as insecticides. Baaluminates are utilized for water purification, acceleration of concrete solidification, production of synthetic zeolites, and in
the paper and enamel industries.

A confirmatory test for elevated Ba is measurement of blood electrolytes; hypokalemia may be associated with elevated Ba.

What does it mean if your Barium result is too high?

Hair may be used for biological monitoring of barium exposure. Exogenous contamination has been observed from bath water containing barium. Elevated levels of hair barium are often observed as a result of exposure to barium for diagnostic medical tests. Elevated levels of barium may interfere with calcium metabolism and displace potassium. Very high retention of barium can result in increased stress hormone levels (eg. catecholamines, and may cause ventricular fibrillation, bronchioconstriction, and swelling of the brain and testis. Chronic ingestion of barium at elevated levels may be manifested by muscular and myocardial stimulation, tingling in the extremities, and loss of tendon reflexes. Undesirable exposure to barium may be associated with contaminated water (DDI Water Analysis), air or soil. barium has been used in rodenticides and insecticides, and is used for medical testing (barium enemas). Mining and refining coal and combustion of coal and oil emit barium. Mine-tailings and masonry products made from such can be a significant source of barium to individuals producing or working with them (e.g. reconstruction, demolition). Arc-welding, metal fabrication, occupational work with fireworks can be associated with abnormal exposure to barium. The main dietary sources of barium are milk, flour, potatoes and some types of nuts. A confirmatory test for elevated barium is measurement of blood electrolytes; hypokalemia may be associated with elevated barium. There are no known chelating agents that are effective for use as a provocation agent for excessive barium retention. Sweat analysis indicates that sauna therapy may increase excretion of barium.

10 000+ happy customers
100% satisfaction
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ customer support

Understand blood, stool, and urine medical results from all your laboratories.

Upload Your Personal Results

Upload Personal Results

Monthly plan

Annual plan

Own it for life

  • Subscription
  • Data entry service included

    Data entry service

    Our exclusive data entry service is a convenient way to get your results into your private dashboard. Simply attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and one of our qualified data entry team members will add the results for you. We support all sorts of files, whether PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is excellent whether you have a lot of reports to upload or are too busy to do the data entry yourself.

  • Instant interpretation
  • Use free data entry form

    Free data entry form

    We strive to make the data entry process easy for you. Whether by offering dozens of templates to choose from that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels or by giving you instant feedback on the entered values. Our data entry forms are an easy, fast, and convenient way to enter the reports yourself. There is no limit on how many lab reports you can upload.

  • 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • Nutrition recommendations
  • Cancel anytime

Complete

$15 /month

billed every month

  • monthly
  • $15 per report
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ Free data entry form
  • ✓ Unlimited data
  • ✓ $15 data entry service
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

Most popular

Data entry included

Advanced

$79 /year

$6.60/month billed annually

  • yearly
  • 5 reports free
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ We enter 5 reports for you
  • ✓ Yearly subscription
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

Data entry included

Unlimited

$250 /once

own it for life

  • pay once
  • 10 reports free
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Nutrition recommendations
  • ✓ We enter 10 reports for you
  • ✓ No subscription
  • ✓ Dedicated support
  • ✓ Unlimited access

Are You a Health Professional?

Get started with our professional plan

Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.

Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more

Pro Monthly Plus

for health professionals

  • ✓ Track multiple clients results
  • ✓ No setup fees
  • ✓ No hidden costs
  • ✓ Instant interpretations
  • ✓ 4000+ biomarkers explained
  • ✓ Includes data entry service
  • ✓ Personal training and support
  • ✓ Cancel anytime

$75 per month

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.