Urine Heavy Metal Testing
Testing provides an accurate assessment of the bodies heavy metal burden. The Physicians at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors utilize urinary heavy metal tests to determine the cause of your symptoms and/or condition. The instructions below are to be followed once your physician gives you the appropriate test kit.
Instructions:
1.) Avoid consumption of fish and shellfish from the diet for one week prior to collecting the urine sample. Also avoid taking non-essential medications or dietary supplements 48 hours prior to and during specimen collection. Female patients should not collect urine during a menstrual cycle.
2.) For an initial Heavy Metal Assessment a baseline sample without a chelating agent is required. If you do not need the baseline test proceed to step 4. This is done by collecting a single urination specimen on rising in the clear plastic cup provided. Deposit the collected urine into the red-capped vial. Fill the vial up to the top of the label and then tighten the screw cap securely. Check Pre on the red-capped vial. Write your name, the date of collection, and your doctor’s name on the side of the red-capped vial. Place the vial into the zip-lock bag, then place the bag in the cardboard shipping box.
3.) In the collection information section of the requisition form (located in the upper right hand corner) fill in the date you finished the collection, your height and weight, and check the box marked Random and fill in the time of day you collected your sample. Complete the test requisition by filling out the highlighted parts of the test requisition form and sign it. Place the completed requisition form in the cardboard shipping box. The specimen is now ready for shipment. To obtain the best results, Doctor’s Data recommends shipping specimens as soon as possible. If you cannot arrange shipping on the same day you finish the collection, such as over a weekend or holiday, refrigerate the specimen until you are ready to ship the test collection kit.
Provocative Challenge
4.) For a Provocative Heavy Metal Test a chelating agent is required. Your doctor will have recommended a chelating agent(s) based upon your symptoms and the heavy metals you desire to chelate. You must follow the instructions listed below:
For the oral DMSA chelating agent, take the full calculated dose of _____ caps at one time and collect your urine for the next 6 hours in the orange container.
For the IV CaEDTA and/or DMPS your urine collection will begin after the IV Push for the next 6 hours. With the IV CaEDTA you will dose L-Glycine 40mg/kg 2 hours before the IV Push. Empty you bladder before the collection period begins. If you are doing a baseline test this will be the required urine specimen. Collect all urine up to and including the last urination of the prescribed time period.
Collect each urination in the specimen collection cup then pour the urine into the orange collection container. Keep the orange container in a refrigerator until you are finished with your collection. Mix the urine by shaking the orange container for at least 30 seconds then pour the urine into the red-capped vial. Fill the vial up to the top of the label and then tighten the screw cap securely. Check Post on the red-capped vial. Write your name, the date of collection, and your doctor’s name on the side of the red-capped vial. Place the vial into the zip-lock bag, then place the bag in the cardboard shipping box.
5.) In the collection information section of the requisition form (located in the upper right hand corner) fill in the date you finished the collection, your height and weight, and check the box marked Timed and fill in the number of hours you collected your sample. Check Post on the requisition form. Complete the test requisition by filling out the highlighted parts of the test requisition form and sign it. Place the completed requisition form in the cardboard shipping box. The specimen is now ready for shipment. To obtain the best results, Doctor’s Data recommends shipping specimens as soon as possible. If you cannot arrange shipping on the same day you finish the collection, such as over a weekend or holiday, refrigerate the specimen until you are ready to ship the test collection kit.
