Heavy Metal Testing and “Detox”
Real heavy metal poisoning happens, usually with a clear source like work, renovations or imported medicines. But “toxic metal” panels, hair tests and detox chelation sold to the worried well cause more harm than they find.
When testing makes sense
- You have a likely exposure: work with lead or other metals, renovating an old house, shooting or sinker-making, imported traditional medicines or skin creams, bore water.
- You have symptoms that fit together with a likely source, such as anaemia, nerve problems, kidney problems or developmental concerns in a child.
- The right test depends on the metal: blood for lead, blood or urine for mercury (depending on the type), urine for arsenic (avoid seafood for 2 days first), urine for cadmium and thallium.
Save your money
- Hair mineral analysisResults vary between labs and can’t reliably show poisoning. Hair is affected by shampoo, dyes and the environment.
- “Provoked” or challenge urine testsYou’re given a chelating drug, then your urine is tested. Chelators pull metals out of everyone, so almost everyone looks “toxic”. There are no valid cut-offs for this test.
- Detox foot baths, clay, pads and supplementsThe colour change in foot baths comes from the electrodes and salt, not from you. None of these remove heavy metals.
- Chelation for autism, tiredness or heart diseaseNot supported by evidence, and chelation can drop calcium dangerously. Deaths have occurred, including children given chelation as an autism treatment.
Real treatment
- For almost everyone with raised levels, the treatment is finding and removing the source, then retesting.
- Chelation medicines are reserved for high levels with symptoms, and are given by specialists, often in hospital, with monitoring.
See your GP if
- You have a real exposure and want the right test
- You’ve had a hair or provoked urine test and are worried by the result
- You’ve been offered chelation outside a hospital
Common questions
Are hair tests for heavy metals accurate?
No. Hair mineral analysis results vary between labs and can’t reliably diagnose heavy metal poisoning.
What is a provoked urine test?
A test where a chelating drug is given before urine is collected. Because chelators pull metals out of everyone, results look high in almost everyone, and there are no valid cut-offs.
Is chelation therapy safe?
Chelation is a real hospital treatment for genuine high-level poisoning. Used outside that setting, it has no proven benefit and can cause dangerous side effects, including deaths.
Do detox foot baths remove heavy metals?
No. The water changes colour because of the metal electrodes and salt in the bath, whether or not feet are in it.
Which test should I have for heavy metals?
It depends on the metal and the exposure: blood for lead, blood or urine for mercury, urine for arsenic (after avoiding seafood for 2 days), and urine for cadmium. Your GP can choose the right one.
Helpful resources
- Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 2624/7 advice on poisoning anywhere in Australia. Free.
Evidence and more information
- Brisbane Respiratory Medical Clinic: Pathologists’ review of CAM tests, including provoked urine metal tests
- Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Arsenic speciation, urine
- Better Health Channel: Lead exposure and your health
maladywise.com/heavy-metal-testing/