Standard Heavy Metals Test

Yes, mercury is toxic—especially in its inorganic and organic (methylmercury forms) commonly found in fish). While small amounts may be present in the environment, elevated levels can harm the nervous system, kidneys, and immune function.
 

Mercury exposure often comes from consuming certain fish (especially large fish like swordfish or tuna), dental fillings, or industrial sources. This test measures mercury in your urine, which mostly reflects recent exposure to inorganic mercury and is usually found in workplaces like factories or labs. It may not detect exposure to methylmercury, the organic form of mercury commonly found in fish.
 

Symptoms of mercury toxicity may include tremors, memory issues, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are not specific to heavy metal exposure and can be caused by many other conditions. Testing should be part of a broader medical evaluation.

Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity can vary depending on the type and level of exposure, but common signs include:
 

• Fatigue or weakness
• Headaches or brain fog
• Digestive issues (nausea, abdominal pain)
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Mood changes or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle or joint pain
• Skin rashes or discoloration

These symptoms are nonspecific and may result from various causes. A healthcare provider should interpret test results in the context of symptoms, exposure history, and clinical evaluation.

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.