The Purpose of a Urine Mercury Test
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body through various means, such as occupational exposure or contaminated food and water. Mercury poisoning can have severe consequences, including:
- Rashes
- Muscle tremors or weakness
- Immune system disruption
- Vision and hearing problems
- Brain, liver, or kidney damage
- Paralysis
If you are or have been exposed to mercury, you will want to seek immediate interventions in order to avoid or reduce toxicity. With this urine test, mercury levels can be clearly measured, making it a valuable tool in occupational health, environmental monitoring, and assessing your risk of mercury poisoning.
Tests Included:
What Does the Urine Test for Mercury Measure?
This test checks the level of mercury in your urine, primarily inorganic mercury.
Who Should Take a Urine Test for Mercury in the Body?
You should take a test if you work in a setting (such as mining, manufacturing, or dentistry) where you are regularly exposed to mercury. Or, you may live in an area with potential mercury contamination because your community is near an industrial facility or contaminated bodies of water, and you want to assess your exposure levels. Finally, you will want a urine test for mercury in the body if you have symptoms of poisoning.
Mercury Urine Test Preparation
Before taking the test, you should avoid mercury exposure for at least 16 hours prior to giving the urine sample. The day you start testing, discard your first urination in the morning, typically around 8 a.m. Then collect all your urine for the next 24 hours until 8 a.m. the next day. You will want to contact your lab beforehand to get a sterile container and instructions for collecting your urine sample.
Urine Mercury Test Results
You should have Mercury poisoning in your urine for a normal test result. If it’s elevated, you may need more testing or need to pursue treatment for mercury poisoning, particularly if you are struggling with symptoms of toxicity.
Where Can I Get a Urine Test for Mercury Near Me?
Need a heavy metal test to monitor your health? Come to Personalabs, where we carry 400-plus tests in our online store that gives you valuable and accurate information to help you make smart healthcare decisions. Browse our test collections and see if you live in a state that requires a doctor’s approval to purchase a test. Then:
Step 1: Buy the test you want and download the lab order that comes with it.
Step 2: Choose from more than 4,000 Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp facilities across the country for your testing. Find a convenient site with the lab locator on our website.
Step 3: Bring the downloaded test order to the lab and drop off your collected urine specimen.
Step 4: Get your results in your secure portal within 2 to 10 business days. We can help you get your results within a specific timeframe if you contact us for assistance.
Shop our test collections today.
Estimated Turn Around For Results:
2-10 Business Days
For an exact turnaround time for results, please contact us at Personalabs and we will contact the lab on your behalf as turnaround times vary depending on testing location or lab testing provider.
