Thyroid, Heavy Metals & Essential Elements Test

Test ID: BU-745 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot + Dried Urine | Technology: ICP-MS | Results: 3–5 Working Days

Could Heavy Metals or Mineral Imbalances Be Disrupting Your Thyroid Health?

The thyroid is one of the organs most vulnerable to toxic element exposure. Mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and bromine can all interfere with thyroid hormone production, conversion, and uptake — often causing symptoms that look identical to hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s. At the same time, deficiencies in iodine and selenium directly impair the thyroid’s ability to produce and activate hormones.

This at-home test combines a full six-marker thyroid panel with a seven-marker toxic and essential elements urine screen, giving you a root-cause picture of how your thyroid and elemental health interact — in a single, convenient test.

What This Test Measures

Dried Blood Spot — Thyroid Panel (ICP-MS):

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) — the master signal controlling thyroid output; elevated TSH indicates the thyroid is underperforming
• Free T3 (FT3) — the active thyroid hormone driving energy and metabolism at a cellular level
• Free T4 (FT4) — the storage hormone converted into T3; low levels indicate reduced thyroid output
• Total T4 (TT4) — total circulating T4, providing a broader view of thyroid hormone production
• TPO Antibodies (TPOab) — primary autoimmune marker for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) — second autoimmune marker, elevated in both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease

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

• Iodine (I) — essential building block of thyroid hormones T3 and T4; deficiency is a leading cause of hypothyroidism
• Bromine (Br) — competes with iodine at thyroid receptor sites; elevated bromine can suppress thyroid function even when iodine appears adequate
• Selenium (Se) — critical for converting T4 into active T3 and protecting the thyroid from oxidative damage
• Lithium (Li) — can suppress thyroid hormone synthesis at elevated levels from medication or environmental sources
• Arsenic (As) — toxic metalloid from rice, seafood, and contaminated water; disrupts thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism
• Cadmium (Cd) — toxic metal linked to increased risk of thyroid disorders; found in cigarette smoke and contaminated food
• Mercury (Hg) — associated with thyroid autoimmunity and hormonal disruption; sources include contaminated fish and dental amalgam
• Creatinine (Crtn) — adjusts urine results for concentration, ensuring accuracy across all element markers

Who Is This Test For?

This test is suitable for women, men, adults, and children who:

• Have a known or suspected thyroid condition such as hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s
• Experience fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, hair loss, poor sleep, or cold intolerance
• Want to understand whether toxic element exposure is contributing to their thyroid symptoms
• Eat fish or seafood regularly, particularly high-mercury species (tuna, swordfish, shark)
• Have mercury dental fillings or smoke
• Want to check iodine and selenium as nutritional drivers of thyroid dysfunction
• Are monitoring thyroid health alongside dietary or supplement changes
• Have had standard thyroid tests showing “normal” TSH but continue to have symptoms

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
2. Collect your samples at home — a simple finger-prick for the blood spot and a brief urine collection; no clinic or GP visit required
3. Post your samples to the laboratory using the instructions provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your samples

What You Receive With Your Results

• All 14 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

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 blood spot (DBS) and dried urine 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 heavy metals linked to thyroid disease?
Mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and bromine are all thyroid disruptors. They can block iodine uptake, interfere with thyroid hormone receptor binding, trigger autoimmune responses (including Hashimoto’s), and impair T4-to-T3 conversion. Many people with persistent thyroid symptoms have never had their toxic element levels assessed — this test addresses that gap by measuring both thyroid markers and toxic elements together.

What is the difference between this test and a standard thyroid blood test?
Standard NHS thyroid tests typically measure TSH only. This panel measures six thyroid markers — including Free T3, Free T4, and both thyroid antibodies — plus seven toxic and essential elements via urine. This gives a far more complete picture, identifying not just whether thyroid function is impaired, but why it may be impaired at a nutritional and environmental level.

Can iodine deficiency cause thyroid problems?
Yes. Iodine is a key building block of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Without sufficient iodine, the thyroid cannot produce adequate hormones, which can lead to hypothyroidism, goitre, fatigue, and metabolic slowdown. Iodine is rarely tested on the NHS. This test measures urinary iodine using ICP-MS — the most accurate method available.

Why is bromine included in this test?
Bromine competes directly with iodine for uptake into the thyroid gland. Even if your iodine intake appears adequate, elevated bromine — from flame retardants, certain medications, or processed foods — can block iodine absorption and suppress thyroid hormone production. This relationship is clinically important but almost never assessed in standard testing.

Is this test suitable for children?
Yes. The test is suitable for adults and children. Sample collection is non-invasive — a small finger-prick for the blood spot and a straightforward urine collection. Please follow the collection instructions carefully when testing a child.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. There are no additional charges. You are responsible for posting your samples to the laboratory.

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