What is the Mineral Screen and Industrial Heavy Metal Screen?

The Mineral Screen and Industrial Heavy Metal Screen (Trace Metals) is a comprehensive blood test that evaluates essential minerals alongside potentially toxic industrial heavy metals. Minerals are vital for enzyme function, bone health, nerve signalling, immunity, and energy production, while heavy metals can disrupt these systems even at low levels.

This profile provides a broad overview of nutritional status and environmental or occupational exposure. It is particularly useful when symptoms are unexplained, when exposure risk is present, or when long-term health optimisation is a priority.

Why do I need a Mineral & Heavy Metal Screen?

Mineral imbalances and heavy metal exposure can cause subtle, non-specific symptoms and may go undetected without targeted testing.

You may benefit from this test if you experience:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness

• Brain fog or poor concentration

• Muscle cramps or weakness

• Headaches or neurological symptoms

• Digestive disturbances

• Hair or nail changes

• Occupational or environmental exposure risk

• High seafood consumption

• Unexplained abnormal blood results

This screen helps distinguish nutritional deficiency from toxic exposure.

Benefits of the test

1. Comprehensive trace element assessment
   Covers essential and toxic metals in one test.

2. Identifies mineral deficiencies
   Supports nutritional optimisation.

3. Detects toxic metal exposure early
   Enables early intervention.

4. Supports neurological health assessment
   Heavy metals can affect nerve function.

5. Useful in occupational health screening
   Relevant for industrial and environmental exposure.

6. Complements symptom investigation
   Explains vague or persistent symptoms.

7. Simple blood-based testing
   Requires only one blood sample.

8. Supports long-term health monitoring
   Useful for repeat testing where exposure risk exists.

Step-by-step: How we offer testing

Clinic-based testing (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic

• Attend your appointment

• Blood sample taken by a clinician

• Sample sent to the laboratory

• Results issued once analysis is complete

Home or hotel visit (+£60, UK-wide)

• Mobile phlebotomist attends your location

• Blood sample taken at home or hotel

• Sample securely transported to the laboratory

Your results explained

Low levels (deficiency)

• Low zinc – immune dysfunction, poor wound healing

• Low magnesium – muscle cramps, fatigue

• Low iron – fatigue, reduced oxygen delivery

• Low calcium – bone and muscle symptoms

Typical UK reference examples (vary by lab):

• Zinc: <10 µmol/L

• Magnesium: <0.7 mmol/L

• Iron: <10 µmol/L

Normal levels

• Essential minerals within reference range

• Toxic metals within safe limits

• Suggests balanced nutritional status and no significant exposure

High levels (toxicity or overload)

• Raised mercury – neurological and kidney risk

• Elevated lead – cognitive, cardiovascular, and renal effects

• High cadmium – kidney and bone toxicity

• Excess copper or iron – oxidative stress and organ strain

Typical UK guidance examples:

• Mercury: >20 µg/L

• Lead: >0.48 µmol/L

• Cadmium: >5 µg/L

Interpretation should consider diet, occupation, environment, and symptoms.