Blog

Essential and Toxic Elements: What Your Body Might Be Telling You Our bodies rely on a careful balance of essential elements to function optimally, but we're also exposed to potentially toxic elements through everyday environmental and dietary sources. Identifying the right levels of these elements can have a profound impact on health. Let’s explore what each element reveals and how advanced testing methods like dried urine and dried blood spot (DBS) testing provide critical insights. Essential Elements Iodine Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production (T4 and T3). Found in dairy, seafood, iodized salt, and grains, this nutrient must be...

The Hidden Impact of Essential and Toxic Elements on Our Health Have you ever wondered how the environment around you affects your health on a molecular level? The truth is, every day, we are exposed to a complex mix of essential and toxic elements through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and even the supplements we take. These exposures, whether beneficial or harmful, vary greatly depending on where we live and the choices we make. The Delicate Balance of Essential Elements Essential elements like iodine, selenium, magnesium, zinc, and copper play critical roles in...

The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a monumental role in maintaining your body’s health. Located in the neck and shaped like a butterfly, this endocrine powerhouse regulates everything from metabolism to mood through the hormones it produces. Yet, thyroid hormone imbalances often go unnoticed—despite affecting millions. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, and up to 60% of those affected may not even know it. These disorders are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked, often dismissed as symptoms of stress, ageing, or other common conditions....

Hormone testing is a critical tool in modern healthcare, guiding everything from fertility treatment to hormone replacement therapy. While blood testing has long been the traditional route, saliva testing has rapidly emerged as a scientifically validated, convenient, and non-invasive alternative—offering clinical accuracy with ease of use. But how reliable is it really?  The Scientific Foundation of Saliva Testing Saliva testing isn't just a novel idea—it's backed by science. Over 600 peer-reviewed studies in 2012 alone have utilised salivary analysis to measure hormone levels, with results showing a strong correlation to conventional serum (blood) tests. So, how does it work? In the bloodstream,...

You’ve probably heard of menopause, the well-known life stage where women experience a significant hormonal transition. But what about men? It might come as a surprise, but men go through a similar midlife shift known as andropause—often referred to as “male menopause.” While less talked about, andropause is just as real and just as impactful. ZRT Laboratory has tested over 150,000 men navigating the effects of hormone decline. Findings are clear: the gradual drop in hormones like testosterone plays a major role in many of the issues men face in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. What Exactly is Andropause? As men...