Introduction to Trace Elements and Heavy Metals

Author: Kevin F. Foley, PhD, DABCC, MT, SC, TC(NRCC)
Reviewer: Roger Beckering, MEd, BA, MLT(ASCP)
See all available Compliance & CE courses »

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)

(based on 760 customer ratings)

Objectives

  • List the most common trace elements tested in clinical laboratories along with their physiologic significance.
  • Discuss the various specimen types for trace element/heavy metal testing (advantages, disadvantages, and commonality of hair, blood/plasma, and urine).
  • List the most common toxic trace elements/metals and the biochemical basis for their toxicity.
  • Describe the primary method used to detect trace elements in biological specimens.
  • List the most common signs of deficiency associated with inadequate intake of essential trace elements.

Course Outline

  • Trace Elements and Heavy Metals
    • Trace Elements and Heavy Metals
    • A trace element can be defined as an element which:
    • Which of the following does not have an RDA (recommended daily allowance) but does have an AI (adequate intake) value?
  • Zinc
    • Zinc
    • Zinc: Clinical Significance
    • Zinc: Laboratory Testing
    • Which of the following is true?
    • The most common clinical cause of zinc loss is:
  • Copper
    • Copper
    • Copper: Clinical Significance
    • Copper: Laboratory Testing
    • True or False: Copper deficiency is referred to as Wilson disease.
    • Which of the following proteins accounts for the main binding source of copper in plasma?
  • Chromium
    • Chromium
    • Chromium: Clinical Significance
    • Chromium: Laboratory Testing
    • Which of the following is the main indication for chromium blood testing?
    • Which of the following is true?
  • Cobalt
    • Cobalt
    • Cobalt: Clinical Significance
    • Cobalt: Laboratory Testing
    • Which two trace elements have been tested in recent years in association with failed prosthetic joints?
    • True or False: Like zinc, cobalt is found as a cofactor in many proteins and enzymes.
  • Manganese
    • Manganese
    • Manganese: Clinical Significance
    • Manganese: Laboratory Testing
    • True or False: Manganism refers to a deficiency of manganese (Mn) that results in mitochondrial dysfunction.
    • Which of the following is true?
  • Lead
    • Lead
    • Lead: Clinical Significance
    • Lead: Laboratory Testing
    • Which of the following is not true concerning lead?
    • Which of the following is a mechanism of action for lead toxicity?
  • Arsenic
    • Arsenic
    • Arsenic: Clinical Significance
    • Arsenic: Laboratory Testing
    • Which of the following is true concerning arsenic?
    • Arseniasis refers to which of the following?
  • Aluminum
    • Aluminum
    • Aluminum: Clinical Significance
    • Aluminum: Laboratory Testing
    • Aluminum toxicity is most commonly associated with which of the following?
    • Which of the following is incorrect concerning aluminum?
  • Cadmium
    • Cadmium
    • Cadmium: Clinical Significance
    • Cadmium: Laboratory Testing
    • Cadmium is most commonly found naturally with which of the following metals?
    • Which of the following is incorrect concerning cadmium?
  • Mercury
    • Mercury
    • Mercury: Clinical Significance
    • Mercury: Laboratory Testing
    • Organic mercury usually refers to which of the following compounds?
    • The most common form of mercury exposure for humans is:
  • Measuring Heavy Metals in the Lab
    • Measuring Heavy Metals in the Lab
    • The main method now used by laboratories measuring heavy metals in clinical specimens is:
    • Which of the following is true concerning ICP-MS?
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists and technicians, and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Kevin Foley, PhD, DABCC, MT, SC, TC(NRCC) is the director of Clinical Pathology for Kaiser Permanente Northwest. He has held this position since 2009. After becoming a medical technologist, Dr. Foley earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the East Carolina School of Medicine. He then completed a fellowship in Clinical Chemistry at the Mayo Clinic, MN. Dr. Foley has also held full-time faculty positions at the University of Vermont, Northern Michigan University, and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Reviewer Information: Roger Beckering, M.Ed., BA (Chemistry), MLT(ASCP) has been an educator of medical laboratory sciences for over 25 years. He started as an instructor at the Medical Institute of Minnesota (MIM), later known as Argosy University. At Argosy, Roger held positions as Professor, Clinical Coordinator, and Program Director. In 2014, Roger moved to the Phoenix area where he works as a Professor and Administrator for MLT and MLS programs at Brookline College.