ICPMS Toxic and Essential Elements Profile (Thyroid Essential)

Test ID: U-327 | Dried Urine | Technology: ICP-MS | Results in 3–5 Working Days

Could Toxic Elements Be Disrupting Your Thyroid Health?

Heavy metals and toxic elements are increasingly present in our food, water, and environment — and the thyroid is one of the organs most vulnerable to their effects. Mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and bromine can all interfere with thyroid hormone production, conversion, and uptake, often causing symptoms that are mistaken for other conditions or dismissed entirely.

This at-home test analyses 8 key toxic and essential elements in dried urine using ICP-MS technology — the most sensitive and accurate method available for trace element analysis. It is specifically designed to assess how elements in your environment and diet may be affecting your thyroid function and overall health.

What This Test Measures

Dried Urine — Toxic & Essential Elements (ICP-MS):

• Iodine (I) — essential for thyroid hormone production (T3 and T4); deficiency is a leading cause of hypothyroidism and goitre
• Bromine (Br) — competes with iodine for thyroid receptor sites; elevated bromine can suppress thyroid function even when iodine appears adequate
• Selenium (Se) — critical for converting inactive T4 into active T3; also protects the thyroid from oxidative damage
• Arsenic (As) — toxic metalloid found in rice, seafood, and contaminated water; disrupts thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism
• Mercury (Hg) — highly toxic; accumulates from contaminated fish and dental amalgam; associated with thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity
• Cadmium (Cd) — found in cigarette smoke and contaminated food; linked to increased risk of thyroid disorders including goitre
• Lithium (Li) — trace element that affects thyroid hormone synthesis; elevated levels — from medication or environmental sources — can suppress thyroid output
• Creatinine (Crtn) — used to adjust urine results for concentration, ensuring all element readings are accurate and comparable

Who Is This Test For?

This test is suitable for adults and children who:

• Have an underactive or overactive thyroid, or suspect thyroid dysfunction
• Eat fish or seafood regularly, particularly high-mercury species (tuna, swordfish, shark)
• Have mercury dental fillings (amalgam)
• Smoke or are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke
• Consume rice frequently or live in areas with high environmental contamination
• Experience fatigue, brain fog, weight changes, hair loss, poor sleep, or cold intolerance
• Want to understand whether environmental toxins are contributing to their thyroid symptoms
• Are monitoring iodine and selenium levels to support thyroid health

Thyroid Symptoms This Test Can Help Investigate

Toxic element imbalances often present as classic thyroid symptoms, including:

• Persistent fatigue and low energy
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Brain fog, poor memory, or slow thinking
• Hair loss, dry skin, or brittle nails
• Feeling cold when others do not
• Poor sleep or insomnia
• Low mood or depression
• Menstrual irregularities or fertility concerns
• Muscle or joint aches with no clear cause

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
2. Collect your urine sample at home — using the dried urine spot collection cards included; no clinic visit required
3. Post your sample to the laboratory using the instructions and return envelope provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample

What You Receive With Your Results

• All 8 markers displayed in clear graphics and easy-to-read values
• A written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Guidance on what your results mean and recommended next steps
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges
• View a Sample Test Result Report

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.

• Pioneers of at-home dried urine spot element testing
• Advanced ICP-MS technology for clinical-grade trace element accuracy
• Each element tested in the most clinically significant sample type
• Personalised reference ranges based on age and sex

Through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory, Hormone Lab UK delivers internationally recognised, research-backed testing to people across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are toxic elements linked to thyroid disease?
Mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and bromine are all known thyroid disruptors. They can interfere with iodine uptake, block thyroid hormone receptors, trigger autoimmune responses, and impair the conversion of T4 to the active hormone T3. Many people with thyroid symptoms have never had their toxic element levels assessed — this test fills that gap.

Why is urine used instead of blood for this test?
Dried urine is the most clinically appropriate sample for measuring urinary excretion of trace elements. The kidneys filter and excrete iodine, selenium, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium — making urine the most reliable indicator of ongoing exposure and body burden for these elements. Creatinine is measured alongside to correct for urine concentration.

What is ICP-MS and why does it matter?
ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) is the gold standard for trace element analysis. It detects elements at extremely low concentrations with high sensitivity and specificity — far beyond what standard laboratory methods can achieve. This level of precision is essential when measuring toxic elements that may be harmful even at trace levels.

Can bromine really affect my thyroid?
Yes. Bromine is a halogen that competes directly with iodine for uptake into the thyroid gland. Even if your iodine intake is adequate, elevated bromine — from flame retardants, certain medications, or processed foods — can block iodine absorption and suppress thyroid hormone production. This is rarely tested on the NHS.

Is this test suitable for children?
Yes. The test is suitable for adults and children. Urine sample collection is non-invasive and straightforward. If testing a child, please follow the collection instructions carefully.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included in the purchase price. There are no additional charges. 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.