Urine Essential Elements-Doctor's Data Kit

Note: This is a home collection test kit that will be mailed to you.

Fasting Required:
No
Lab:
Doctor's Data
Specimen:
Urine
Results:
Average processing time 5-7 business days
Note: Result turnaround times are an estimate and are not guaranteed. Our reference lab may need additional time due to weather, holidays, confirmation/repeat testing, or equipment maintenance.

Test Instructions:
Fish and shellfish contain relatively high levels of mercury and arsenic. It is recommended that you omit fish and shellfish from your diet for one week prior to collecting the urine specimen. You should also refrain from taking non-essential medications or dietary supplements and gadolinium-based contrast media (used in MRI) for 48 hours prior to and during the specimen collection, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
Description:
Many clinicians request the analysis of essential elements in urine specimens to evaluate nutritional status and the efficacy of mineral supplementation during metal detoxification therapy. Metal detoxification agents can significantly increase the excretion of specific nutrient elements such as zinc, copper, manganese and molybdenum. Chromium metabolism authorities suggest that 24-hour chromium excretion likely provides the best assessment of chromium status. Early indication of renal dysfunction can be gleaned from urinary wasting of essential elements such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium in an unprovoked specimen. Variability in urine volume can drastically affect the concentration of elements. To compensate for urine dilution variation, elements are expressed per unit creatinine for timed collections. For 24-hour collections, elements are reported as both units per 24 hours and units per creatinine.