Mercury (Genova)

Optimal Result: 0 - 9.8 ppb.

Mercury is an element that is found all over the earth, in soil, rocks, and water. The issue with mercury is that if humans are exposed to it, depending on the amount, route, and duration of exposure, mercury can be toxic to humans.

Mercury intoxication is associated with symptoms such as:

(1) mental changes,

(2) spontaneous tremor and deficits in psychomotor performance, and

(3) stomatitis and gingivitis.

The toxic effects of mercury have been associated with neurological dysfunction, dementia, and autoimmune diseases.

The toxic effects of mercury have been associated with neurological dysfunction, dementia, and autoimmune diseases. Although research suggests that the etiology of autism is multifactorial, numerous reports demonstrate that aspects of mercury toxicity appear similar to autism symptomatology. According to the CDC, mercury released from amalgams may comprise up to 75% of an individual’s mercury exposure. Methyl-mercury from seafood is considered to be the most important source of non-occupational human mercury exposure.

Blood mercury has revealed low level chronic and acute exposure from work environments. Significant exposure is evident when whole blood alkyl mercury is greater than 50 μg/L, or when inorganic mercury (Hg2+) exposure is greater than 200 μg/L. Children’s reference values for whole blood mercury from 1.5 to 1.0 μg/L have been proposed. Risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was found to be nearly 10 times higher when blood mercury was above 29 nmol/L. The quantity of mercury assayed in blood and hair, but not urine, correlates with the severity of toxicity symptoms.

Hair has been a frequently used specimen by CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for accurately assessing mercury exposure in selected populations. Levels of mercury greater than 1 μg/g also indicate mercury toxicity. A positive correlation of blood pressure with levels of hair mercury has been seen.

The level of mercury in urine is a reliable way to assess exposure to inorganic mercury. Daily urinary levels greater than 50 μg indicate a Hg2+ overload.

Sulfur-containing agents, such as N-acetyl cysteine and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), can be effective agents for removing mercury from tissues. Research has shown that N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione can protect cells from mercury toxicity. Some antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid and glutathione may also possess chelative effects.

Dietary selenium has been found to reduce the toxic effects of mercury. Potential sources of mercury include dental amalgams, broken thermometers, cosmetics, and predator or fresh water fish.

Associated Symptoms and Diseases:

– Mental symptoms: erethism (=a neurological disorder), insomnia, fatigue, poor short- term memory

– Tremor

– Stomatitis (=inflammation of the mouth and lips)

– Gingivitis (=red and puffy gums)

– GI and renal disturbances

– Decreased immunity

Sources:

– Dental amalgams,

– Predator fish, certain lake fish

– preservatives (esp. thimerosal)

– industrial release effects

– Broken thermometers and barometers

– Grain seeds treated with methylmercury fungicide

– Mercuric chloride Thimerosal (Ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid sodium salt)

– Calomel (body powder, talc, laxatives)

– Cosmetics (check labels if possible)

– Latex and solvent-thinned paints

– Hemorrhoid suppositories

– Mercurochrome, merthiolate

– Fabric softeners

– Floor waxes and polishes

– Air conditioner filters

– Wood preservatives

– Certain batteries

– Fungicides for lawns and shrubs

– Leather tanning products

– Thimerosal-preserved immunization fluids

– Adhesives

– Skin-lightening creams

– Certain ointments to treat psoriasis

– Photoengraving

– Tattooing

– Sewage sludge used as fertilizer

Protective Measures:

Selenium (protects against cellular toxicity)

What does it mean if your Mercury (Genova) result is too high?

Associated Symptoms and Diseases with Mercury toxicity:

– Mental symptoms: erethism (=a neurological disorder), insomnia, fatigue, poor short- term memory

– Tremor

– Stomatitis (=inflammation of the mouth and lips)

– Gingivitis (=red and puffy gums)

– GI and renal disturbances

– Decreased immunity

Potential ways to manage a metal toxicity:

– Identify and avoid exposure to the toxic element

– Test water

– Evaluate cooking utensils

– Evaluate building materials in the home

– Diet: eat organic fruits and vegetables, consider seafood as a source of toxic elements

– Evaluate source of herbal supplements for contamination

– Sauna

– Total dietary fiber intake to 30-40 g/day,

– hydration: drink 60 – 90 oz. clean water daily

– Beans, cooked vegetables, whole grain breads

– Whole grain cereals, especially oatmeal

– Fresh fruits, especially apples

– Anti-oxidants including vitamin C

– Dietary selenium has been found to reduce the toxic effects of mercury.

References:

http://www.chelationmedicalcenter.com/!_genova_interpretive_guides/genova_elements_ig_blood_hair_urine.pdf

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

For professional account plans go here

for professional account plans go here

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.