hair vs. urine test for metal toxin

[patty]

Hi all,

 

I remember reading a post here that urine test for metal toxin is more accurate. Whereas the hair test only reflect recent exposure to metal, therefore, it is not as accurate. Can someone please confirm this info.?

 

My son's pediatric chiro recommended a hair test for metal, since that's their protocol at this office. She is not that familiar doing the urine test, but she can request a urine test thru this lab also.

 

I just want to do one test because of cost. All these tests are getting quit expensive for us, and X'mas is just around the corner.

 

Thx guys!

 

Patty

[kim]

Patty,

 

Blood would show recent exposure only, to lead at least. I'm not sure if it will show other metals, at all.

 

Hair will give a history, however, if it shows low mercury, it could mean that you are just not excreting, if it shows high, I think it means, you can pretty much count on the fact that it IS high (a problem). What you are looking for with hair, is a pattern of impaired mineral transport, I believe. This will explain the counting rules, used for hair testing http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html

 

Here is a site with some posts discussing different types of testing. http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/ANDY_IND...tml#supplements

 

Most urine tests are challenge or provoked. After reading the site, that I linked above, I decided, that I didn't want this test for my boys. Maybe someone who has done a challenge test, will post their experience with it. Since my boys issues are so mild, I am just afraid of stirring up any metals, that their bodies, may not be capable of excreting. There are varying opinions on this subject.

 

This is another urine test

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...c=1795&st=0

This test is being ordered/discussed on some of the autism sites, as it's fairly inexpersive and no provocation (chelating agent) necessary. No Dr.s sign. required either. As you can see from that thread, Claire, who posts here, had this testing done.

[Guest]

Hi Patty,

 

I second everything Kim already told you. Hair is probably the best way to start in my opinion. I showed pretty much nothing in my blood before starting chelation. Urine and fecal tests are pretty much useless unless provoked in my opinion.

 

I do perform challenge tests now. I didn't at the beginning and was very afraid too. However, I use the transdermal DMPS and just use double the amount of my dosage. DMPS excretes mostly through the stool and DMSA excretes mostly through the urine. I haven't had any problems that I can connect to the challenge tests. They've all gone very smooth for me. However, everyone's different and needs to be cautious.

 

Carolyn

[Claire]

Patty,

 

Ideally I would do both hair and urine. Each is ~$100. Tough to pick which one if you can do one only. The urine porphyrin test will show excess lead/mercury only, but those are the most common toxic metals we seem to see.

 

The hair test shows more metals, but often gives false negatives if the child isn't excreting properly (or supplmenting with antioxidants to help excrete). It does not give false positives if done properly (ie use Baby Shampoo for 2 weeks prior and no hair gels).

 

The blood test shows recent exposure to all metals.

 

My son and I were both positive on all 3 of these tests! But his hair and blood now show negative, and his urine is still positive. Urine doesn't show false negatives and is good in that way.

 

Claire

[patty]

Thank you all for the clarification. I think i am going ahead with the hair test.

 

BTW, are all urine test involve chelating agents? As my son's symptoms are mild, i don't want to stir up any issues.

 

Patty

[Claire]

No, the test that Kim found that we did ...the porphyrin urine test... does not involve a 'challenge' or chelation. I was also very conservative unwilling to do a challenge test that involved chelation, due to potential risks.

 

Most urine tests do involve a challenge, which makes sense if the decision has already been made to do chelation.

 

Claire

[patty]

claire,

 

Thx for the info.

 

BTW, i just realized my son has 1 amalgan filling in his mouth. It must have been a couple of years ago, and i forgot about it. I think in an earlier post that you had your amalgan filling removed. I am wondering if that is part of the cause for my son's tics?! What should i do next? Do the hair test then decide?!

 

Patty