Male Toxic & Essential Elements Test | Mercury, Zinc & Selenium

Test ID: B-224M | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: ICP-MS | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Report: Specialist Doctor Comment Included | Suitable For: Men | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required

Could Heavy Metals or Mineral Imbalances Be Affecting Your Energy, Performance, or Hormones?

Toxic elements like mercury and cadmium accumulate silently in the body over years, while deficiencies in essential minerals like selenium, zinc, and magnesium can directly impair testosterone production, energy metabolism, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function in men. Symptoms are often misattributed to stress, ageing, or low testosterone — when the underlying driver is elemental imbalance. If you recognise any of the following, this test could uncover a hidden root cause:

• Persistent fatigue or low energy that rest does not resolve
• Brain fog, slow thinking, or poor concentration
• Muscle weakness, cramps, or reduced exercise performance
• Anxiety, irritability, low mood, or reduced motivation
• Difficulty sleeping or restlessness
• Tingling, numbness, or twitching in hands and fingers
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Brittle hair and nails, dry or scaly skin
• Reduced libido or sexual performance issues
• Elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Concerns about heavy metal exposure from diet, fish, environment, or dental fillings

What This Test Measures

Six toxic and essential elements via ICP-MS from a simple finger-prick dried blood spot:

• Cadmium (Cd) — toxic metal accumulating in the kidneys; strongly linked to reduced testosterone, impaired sperm production, and prostate health risks; sources include cigarette smoke, contaminated food, and occupational exposure
• Mercury (Hg) — organic mercury from fish and dental amalgam binds to red blood cells; associated with thyroid damage, neurological decline, and testosterone disruption
• Selenium (Se) — essential for thyroid hormone conversion, antioxidant defence, and sperm motility; deficiency is common in the UK and linked to reduced fertility and cardiovascular risk in men
• Zinc (Zn) — essential for testosterone production, sperm quality, immune function, and wound healing; one of the most common nutritional causes of low testosterone in men
• Magnesium (Mg) — involved in 300+ enzymatic reactions including testosterone synthesis, muscle function, and cardiovascular health; deficiency linked to low energy, poor sleep, and muscle cramps
• Copper (Cu) — essential in balance with zinc; excess copper suppresses testosterone and impairs immunity; the zinc-to-copper ratio is a key health marker for men

Why These Elements Matter Specifically for Men

• Testosterone suppression and hormonal disruption via heavy metal endocrine interference
• Reduced sperm quality and male fertility problems
• Thyroid dysfunction — mercury and cadmium interfere with thyroid hormone production
• Neurological decline and cognitive impairment
• Cardiovascular disease and hypertension
• Immune suppression and increased chronic disease risk

Who Should Consider This Test?

• Unexplained fatigue, low libido, or reduced physical performance
• Regular consumption of fish, especially tuna, swordfish, or shark
• Concerns about occupational or environmental heavy metal exposure
• Investigating selenium and zinc as part of a testosterone, thyroid, or fertility workup
• Monitoring mineral status during supplementation or TRT
• Proactive assessment of long-term hormonal and cardiovascular health

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered to your door
2. Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick dried blood spot; no clinic or GP visit needed
3. Post your sample to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample

What You Receive

• All 6 element levels displayed clearly in graphics and numbers with sex-specific reference ranges
• Written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Guidance on what your results mean and recommended next steps
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges

Why We Use ZRT Laboratory

All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries. ZRT’s advanced ICP-MS technology delivers clinical-grade trace element accuracy from a home-collected dried blood spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can heavy metals really lower testosterone?
Yes. Cadmium and mercury are both endocrine disruptors shown in clinical research to suppress testosterone production, interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and impair Leydig cell function in the testes.

Does zinc deficiency cause low testosterone?
Yes. Zinc is a cofactor in testosterone biosynthesis and is required for the function of luteinising hormone (LH). Zinc deficiency is one of the most consistently identified nutritional causes of low testosterone in men.

How does the copper-to-zinc ratio affect men’s health?
Copper and zinc compete for absorption. Elevated copper relative to zinc can suppress testosterone, impair immune function, increase anxiety, and drive oestrogen dominance in men. The ratio is more informative than either value alone.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. You are only responsible for posting your sample to the laboratory.

How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.