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Best Heavy Metal Testing Kits 2023: 3 At-home Toxicity Test
Updated on
- Written by Katie Swanson, Former Health Writer
Medically reviewed by
Kimberly Langdon, MD
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MyLab Box
- Urine sample collected at home
- Tests for 10 heavy metals
- Lowest cost of the three options
15% Off: HEALTHCANAL
Health Labs
- Blood or urine samples collected at the lab
- Can test for individual or multiple heavy metals
- 110% guarantee: competitive price matching plus a 10% discount
10% Off First Purchase
EverlyWell
- Urine sample collected at home
- Easy to understand, actionable results
- Tests for 6 heavy metals and essential elements
Too many heavy metals in the body can cause severe health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Toxic metal exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Long-term toxicity can result in organ damage, decreased nerve function, thyroid-related health issues, nervous system issues, and miscarriage or premature labor in women.
Fortunately, there are heavy metal testing kits that allow you to test your toxic metal levels, often from the privacy of your own home. You don’t have to wait for a referral from your doctor and while it is typically not covered by health insurance, there are many affordable options and most testing companies will accept Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) funds.
Best Heavy Metal Testing Kits (March. 2023)
- MyLAB Box – Editor’s choice
- Health Labs – Most Reliable
- EverlyWell – Most Comprehensive
Can I Do My Heavy Metal Test At Home?
Yes! There are many at-home testing options available now. A lot of tests allow you to test for heavy metals in the privacy and security of your home. Once you collect a test sample according to the manufacturer’s directions, you seal it up in the biohazard packaging and mail it back to the company for testing.
Whether you opt for a blood, urine, or hair/nail test, you can choose which test method and which heavy metals you test for. Here are three of the best at-home heavy metal testing kits to consider.
Is Heavy Metal Test Accurate?
Heavy metal tests can accurately show levels of toxic elements using blood, urine, hair, or fingernail samples. Of these, blood and urine are considered the most accurate but it also depends on the type of heavy metal you are testing for and the duration of exposure.
Diagnosing heavy metal poisoning requires many positive lab tests, a medical evaluation by a healthcare professional to confirm signs and symptoms of heavy metals, and confirmed exposure to toxic metals. At-home heavy metal tests can check for elevated heavy metal levels and alert you to any warning signs of exposure.
If you know you have been exposed to toxic metals or find that your at-home heavy metals test indicates your levels are beyond a healthy range, contact a medical professional immediately.
The Line Up At A Glance
Editor’s Choice
MyLAB Box
- Urine sample collected at home
- Tests for 10 heavy metals
- Lowest cost of the three options
15% Off: HEALTHCANAL
Most Reliable
Health Labs
- Blood or urine samples collected at the lab
- Can test for individual or multiple heavy metals
- 110% guarantee: competitive price matching plus a 10% discount
10% Off First Purchase
Most Comprehensive
EverlyWell
- Urine sample collected at home
- Easy to understand, actionable results
- Tests for 6 heavy metals and essential elements
3 Best At-Home Heavy Metal Tests Review
myLAB Box
15% Off: HEALTHCANAL
If you want to test the greatest number of heavy metals for the lowest cost, myLAB Box is a great pick. Because there is no interpretation offered for your results, be prepared to discuss the results with your physician.
- Tests for 10 heavy metals, the most of the three test kits in this review
- The least expensive test of the three test kits in this review
- Website was less informative for users
- Less support for interpreting results for your heavy metals test
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myLAB Box is a great option for someone who wants to see the levels of ten of the most potentially harmful heavy metals: Arsenic, Bromine, Cadmium, Creatinine, Iodine, Lithium, Magnesium, Mercury, Selenium, and Zinc.
myLAB Box uses urine testing that can be done at home. Once the test sample is collected, you send it in a pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope. You can expect to receive the results in 2-5 days.
The myLab Box website says it offers free physician consultations, but there isn’t a lot of information on the website. It would be best to review the results with your healthcare provider.
The best features of myLAB Box are the greatest number of heavy metals tested for at the lowest price. However, the website and lack of support for interpreting test results could leave some users confused and frustrated.
The labs myLAB Box uses are FDA registered, they are listed with the CDC and they accept payment with FSA/HSA funds.
This test kit is best for people who want to be tested for the greatest number of heavy metals and have a trusted healthcare provider who can help them interpret the results and address any concerns.
Health Labs
10% Off First Purchase
Health Labs is a great test kit for people who are interested in testing for individual toxic metals like lead and certain other elements that can only be detected with a heavy metal blood test.
- Can test for individual heavy metals including lead, or up to six elements for a heavy metals panel payments
- Offers a 110% guarantee–if you find the exact test for cheaper, they will match the price and give you a 10% discount
- Requires getting your blood or urine samples taken at one of their testing centers
- Has a call/chat feature with trained care advisors
- No additional insights or resources are available for interpreting results
Health Labs is a great option for someone who wants to test for individual toxic elements (Arsenic, Lead, Mercury) as well as other harmful toxic metals in a heavy metals panel which could include Cadmium, Cobalt, and Thallium.
Health Labs requires that you go to one of their testing centers to collect either blood or urine samples for testing, depending on which test option you choose. Once the test sample is collected, it is tested at a certified lab. Results are available within 24-72 hours through a secure online account.
The best feature of Health Labs is that you can order individual tests for elements that are essential for good health, such as iron and zinc, in addition to a heavy metals panel that will test for several toxic elements.
The least convenient feature of Health Labs is that it requires you to go to a testing center, rather than an easy sample that can be collected at home. However, this does reduce the likelihood of a contaminated sample and inaccurate results.
This test kit is best for people who don’t mind the inconvenience of going to a testing center and who want to test for individual toxic metals.
EverlyWell
EverlyWell is a great heavy metal testing kit for someone who prefers to receive their test results digitally. The EverlyWell platform is easy to understand and provides personalized insights for interpreting results.
- Test results are delivered digitally and securely on the EverlyWell platform
- Tests for six heavy metals and two trace minerals
- Doesn’t test for aluminum or lead, two common heavy metals
- You may not like the digital platform
EverlyWell is a great option for someone who wants to test the levels of four of the most potentially harmful heavy metals (Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Bromine), as well as two essential trace minerals (Selenium, Iodine), and creatinine.
EverlyWell uses urine testing that can be done at home. Once the test sample is collected, you send it in a pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope. You can expect to receive the results in a few days.
The best feature of EverlyWell is that results are available digitally on the EverlyWell platform. It shows your results in an easy-to-understand format with additional insights and resources. There is also a live webinar led by health professionals so that you can learn more about your results and ask questions. However, it is still recommended that you review the results with your healthcare provider.
The labs EverlyWell uses are certified to meet both state and federal standards, tests are reviewed and approved by independent, board-certified physicians, and they accept payment with FSA/HSA funds.
This test kit is best for people who prefer the ease and convenience of reviewing their test results digitally.
How To Detect Heavy Metal In Your Body?
Heavy metals can wreak havoc on your immune system and overall health so it is best to detect as early as possible using blood or urine analysis. Some of the earliest signs[1] include abdominal pains, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, unexplained changes in behavior, and anemia.
Here are some of the most common types of toxic metal exposures[2] and poisonings and the effects they can have on your body:
- Arsenic exposure is a risk for people working in or near hazardous waste sites or people who are exposed to pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides
- Arsenic poisoning can result in neurological issues, abdominal pain, anemia, and even death
- Cadmium exposure is a risk for people in industrial workplaces, especially where ore is being processed or smelted
- Cadmium poisoning can result in fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of lung, kidney, and/or liver function, and even death
- Lead exposure is a risk for people in construction, automotive repair, mining, and contamination of water due to lead pipes
- Lead poisoning varies depending on age and level of exposure but can result in neurological problems, brain damage, kidney disease, depression and/or anxiety, and even death
- Mercury exposure is a risk for those who work in mining, production, and transportation of mercury, dental assistants, and hygienists; a diet high in fish can also result in elevated mercury levels
- Mercury poisoning causes permanent nervous system function and lung, kidney, brain, and/or skin damage
How To Choose The Best At-home Home Heavy Metal Test
If you are concerned about heavy metal exposure or if there is suspected exposure to toxic metal in your life or work environment, you don’t have to take a trip to the doctor’s office to find out. You can order an at-home testing kit to confirm if your blood or urine contains heavy metals within a toxic range.
When selecting an at-home heavy metals test, there are a few things you want to consider. Remember, the best test for you is the one that gives you accurate results and peace of mind without breaking the bank.
Quality
When shopping for an at-home heavy metals test, look for companies that are transparent in their processes and clear about what you can expect. When you receive the kit, make sure all packaging is intact and labels are clearly marked and accurate. If any part of the kit is missing or damaged, contact the company’s customer service immediately.
Method
All test kits require some sort of sample collection and many at-home heavy metals tests are urine tests. This is great if you are testing children or if the thought of pricking your finger for a blood sample makes you queasy. But keep in mind that the results from your at-home tests can become contaminated easier than if the test was collected in a controlled lab setting.
Price
Testing for heavy metals shouldn’t break the bank. Luckily, many companies have cost-effective options. And while heavy metal tests are not usually covered by health insurance, most test companies accept HSA and FSA payments.
Test Result
Some companies offer interpretations and insights into the results of the heavy metals test but some do not. At the very least, you should look for a company that shows your levels and the normal or ideal ranges within the heavy metals panel. It is recommended that you discuss your results with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fetuses and young children have an increased risk for severe and long-term effects of heavy metal poisoning. Those who eat a diet high in fish are at risk of mercury poisoning. Also at risk are those who are in mining and smelting operations and people who work in construction and are exposed to potentially toxic industrial chemicals.
Heavy metal toxicity symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; heart abnormalities; kidney damage; liver damage; lung irritation; brain dysfunction; changes in behavior; miscarriage or premature labor in pregnant women. For more information, go to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center found here[3].
Cigarette smoke, lead-based paint, contaminated drinking water, and pollution are some of the most common causes of heavy metal toxicity. Stop smoking, learn how to safely remove lead-based paint from your home, and have your drinking water tested for contaminants.
Blood and urine samples provide more accurate heavy metal results compared to hair or fingernail samples.
Heavy metal tests are not usually covered by insurance unless you work in an environment where heavy metal exposure is a risk. But most at-home test companies offer affordable test options and accept HSA and FSA payment.
Urine tests are the less painful option, but some heavy metals might be best detected through a blood sample. It depends on the duration and level of exposure to environmental toxins. Consult your doctor to find out which test would be best for you.
If your test results show possible heavy metal toxicity, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Your doctor will be able to assess the danger, determine the cause, and prescribe treatment.
If you suspect that you have heavy metal poisoning, you should contact your doctor immediately. Heavy metal poisoning is dangerous and can lead to long-term damage.
+ 3 sources
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- NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). (2016). Heavy Metal Poisoning – NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). [online] Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/heavy-metal-poisoning/#symptoms.
- Osha.gov. (2014). Toxic Metals – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. [online] Available at: https://www.osha.gov/toxic-metals.
- Nih.gov. (2017). Heavy metal poisoning | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. [online] Available at: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6577/heavy-metal-poisoning.
Written by:
Katie Swanson, Former Health Writer
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
