Arsenic (Urine)

The Arsenic (Urine) test is a specialist toxicology assessment that measures arsenic excreted in urine. Urinary arsenic testing can provide useful information when investigating recent or ongoing exposure from environmental, occupational, dietary or other sources.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that may be found in soil, rocks and groundwater. Exposure can also occur through certain industrial processes, contaminated drinking water, occupational environments and some foods.

The test contains 1 biomarker: Arsenic - Urine. Urine is commonly used when investigating arsenic exposure because arsenic and many of its metabolites are eliminated through the kidneys. A urine result generally provides more useful information about recent exposure than a blood measurement once arsenic has begun to clear from the bloodstream.

However, interpretation requires care. Some seafood and seaweed contain organic arsenic compounds that are substantially less toxic than inorganic arsenic but can still increase a total urinary arsenic measurement. Diet immediately before testing can therefore materially affect the result depending on the laboratory method.

An elevated urine arsenic result does not by itself establish the source, duration or chemical form of exposure. Where a result is unexpectedly raised, additional investigation or arsenic speciation may sometimes be appropriate to distinguish potentially more harmful inorganic arsenic from less toxic organic forms.

The expected turnaround time for the Arsenic (Urine) test is approximately 5 business days.

Results are sent securely by email once specialist laboratory analysis and authorisation are complete. Turnaround generally begins when the laboratory receives your urine sample rather than necessarily from the time it is collected.

Trace-element testing can occasionally require repeat measurement, quality-control procedures or additional laboratory review, which may extend the expected turnaround.

Your Arsenic - Urine result reflects the amount of arsenic detected in the urine sample analysed by the laboratory. The report will provide the result together with the relevant reference or reporting information for the laboratory method used.

An elevated urinary arsenic result may indicate recent or continuing exposure, but the result does not automatically identify the source or determine whether the arsenic present is predominantly inorganic or organic.

This distinction is clinically important. Inorganic arsenic is generally associated with greater toxicity, whereas many seafood products contain organic arsenic compounds that are much less toxic but can still produce a markedly raised total urine arsenic result.

If total arsenic is unexpectedly elevated, the clinician or laboratory may consider further testing such as arsenic speciation to help distinguish different chemical forms.

A low or normal urine result does not completely exclude historical exposure that occurred long before the sample was collected. Interpretation should consider timing, diet, occupation, environment, symptoms and previous results.

Results outside the expected range should be reviewed with a suitably qualified healthcare professional rather than interpreted in isolation.

London Blood Tests provides the Arsenic (Urine) test in London for people who want targeted investigation of possible recent or ongoing arsenic exposure.

The test costs £69 and measures one biomarker, Arsenic - Urine. It may be useful where exposure is suspected from contaminated groundwater, occupational environments, industrial materials, diet or another credible source.

The urine sample is analysed using specialist trace-element testing, with results delivered securely once laboratory processing is complete.

Urinary arsenic can be particularly useful when investigating recent exposure, but interpretation needs to account for dietary arsenic from seafood and the timing of collection. Where results are raised or exposure concerns persist, additional toxicology assessment may be appropriate.