Antimony

Hormone/ Element

Report in 12Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Heavy metal test for antimony levels.

₹2,309₹3,298

30% OFF

Antimony Test - Comprehensive Medical Information Guide

Why is it done?
- Detects antimony exposure and accumulation in the body from occupational, environmental, or medicinal sources
- Monitors individuals with occupational exposure in mining, smelting, battery manufacturing, or chemical industries
- Evaluates potential toxicity from chronic antimony exposure or accidental poisoning
- Assesses exposure from medications containing antimony compounds used to treat leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis
- Investigates unexplained symptoms potentially related to antimony exposure (respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, dermatologic manifestations)
- Conducts baseline and periodic screening for workers in high-risk occupations
Normal Range
- Reference Values: Blood (serum/plasma) antimony levels in unexposed individuals typically range from <0.5 to 2.0 µg/L (micrograms per liter)
- Urine Levels: Normal 24-hour urine antimony excretion is typically <10 µg/L (micrograms per liter)
- Interpretation of Results:
- Normal/Negative: Antimony levels below reference range indicate minimal to no exposure or toxicity
- Elevated: Levels above upper limit of normal suggest occupational or environmental exposure, therapeutic drug use, or potential toxicity
- Significantly Elevated (>10-20 µg/L): May indicate acute or chronic exposure with potential clinical consequences
- Units of Measurement: µg/L (micrograms per liter), µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter), or ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) depending on laboratory
Interpretation
- Low/Normal Levels (<0.5-2.0 µg/L):
- Indicates minimal antimony exposure and no evidence of toxicity
- Worker or patient can continue normal activities without antimony-related health concerns
- Mildly Elevated Levels (2.0-5.0 µg/L):
- Suggests occupational or environmental exposure, may be from mining, manufacturing, or therapeutic use
- Requires monitoring and evaluation of exposure source; may warrant workplace or medication review
- Clinical symptoms may be minimal or absent at this level
- Moderately Elevated Levels (5.0-15.0 µg/L):
- Indicates significant occupational or environmental exposure requiring investigation and intervention
- May be associated with subclinical effects on pulmonary, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal systems
- Recommendations include exposure reduction, engineering controls, and increased surveillance
- Highly Elevated Levels (>15.0 µg/L):
- Suggests acute or chronic toxic exposure requiring immediate medical attention and intervention
- Associated with clinical toxicity symptoms including respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiac arrhythmias
- Requires immediate cessation of exposure, medical evaluation, and potential chelation therapy
- Factors Affecting Results:
- Occupational exposure history and workplace safety measures
- Current or recent therapeutic antimony medication use (potassium antimony tartrate, meglumine antimoniate)
- Environmental exposure from contaminated water or food sources
- Time since last exposure; antimony has relatively long biological half-life (days to weeks)
- Renal function and hydration status affecting elimination
- Individual baseline antimony levels may vary geographically
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems Affected:
- Respiratory System: Inhalation of antimony dust/fumes causes pneumoconiosis (antimony silicosis), chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, interstitial fibrosis
- Gastrointestinal System: Exposure causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia, and potential ulceration
- Cardiovascular System: May cause myocarditis, arrhythmias, QT prolongation, hypotension, and myocardial damage
- Hepatic System: Acute or chronic exposure may cause hepatic dysfunction, elevated liver enzymes, fatty infiltration
- Renal System: Exposure can result in proteinuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and potential renal dysfunction
- Integumentary System: Dermatitis, sensitization, allergic contact dermatitis, and skin irritation from contact exposure
- Nervous System: Peripheral neuropathy, tremor, and neurological effects in cases of severe exposure
- Associated Diseases and Conditions:
- Antimony Pneumoconiosis: Occupational lung disease from chronic inhalation of antimony dust
- Antimony-Related Myocarditis: Toxic inflammation of heart muscle, particularly from antimonial drugs
- Heavy Metal Poisoning: Acute toxicity from high-dose exposure or accidental ingestion
- Leishmaniasis/Schistosomiasis Treatment Effects: Adverse effects from therapeutic pentavalent antimony compounds
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Exacerbation or contribution from occupational antimony exposure
- Contact Dermatitis and Occupational Skin Disorders
- Potential Complications:
- Progressive respiratory insufficiency and hypoxemia in pneumoconiosis
- Sudden cardiac death from acute myocarditis or severe arrhythmias
- Acute hepatic failure in severe poisoning
- Acute kidney injury and chronic renal impairment
- Electrolyte imbalances and metabolic derangements
Follow-up Tests
- Recommended Follow-up Tests Based on Elevated Results:
- Chest X-ray and High-Resolution CT Chest: Evaluate for pneumoconiosis, fibrosis, and respiratory complications
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): Assess lung capacity, airflow obstruction, and diffusion capacity
- 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG): Screen for QT prolongation, arrhythmias, and myocardial changes
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE): Evaluate cardiac structure and function if myocarditis suspected
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Measure AST, ALT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase to assess hepatic injury
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Evaluate renal function, electrolytes, glucose, and other parameters
- Urinalysis: Screen for proteinuria and evaluate renal involvement
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Assess for anemia or hematologic abnormalities
- Other Heavy Metal Screening: Test for lead, cadmium, arsenic, or other occupational exposures
- Monitoring and Frequency:
- Occupational Workers: Annual or biennial screening depending on exposure level and regulatory requirements
- Therapeutic Drug Use: Monitor at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment periods
- Elevated Levels: Repeat testing after 3-6 months to assess clearance or continued exposure
- Post-Exposure: Serial testing to document levels returning to baseline after exposure cessation
- Complementary Tests:
- 24-Hour Urine Antimony Collection: More reflective of recent exposure than single blood sample
- Serum and Urine Antimony Speciation: Differentiates trivalent vs pentavalent antimony if available
- Hair Analysis: May provide long-term exposure history though less specific than blood/urine
- Occupational History and Exposure Assessment: Workplace evaluation and environmental sampling
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No
- Explanation: Fasting is not required for antimony testing as food intake does not significantly interfere with serum or urine antimony measurement
- Sample Collection Instructions:
- Blood Sample: Collect 5-10 mL of venous blood in a metal-free tube (typically plastic or silicone-coated tube to avoid contamination)
- Urine Sample: 24-hour urine collection in acid-washed, metal-free collection bottle; alternatively, spot urine sample may be acceptable
- Pre-Test Preparation:
- No specific fasting required; patient can eat and drink normally
- Patient should maintain normal medication schedule unless specifically instructed otherwise by healthcare provider
- Avoid direct skin contact with antimony-containing materials immediately before testing if possible
- Inform healthcare provider of current medications, especially those containing antimony or affecting kidney function
- Medications to Avoid or Report:
- Medications containing antimony compounds (pentavalent antimony preparations for leishmaniasis/schistosomiasis) - disclose to laboratory
- No medications need to be specifically withheld for antimony testing
- Special Considerations:
- Ensure proper specimen collection using specialized metal-free containers to prevent contamination
- Proper chain of custody and rapid transport to laboratory is important to maintain sample integrity
- For occupational screening, timing of blood draw relative to work shift may affect results (end-of-shift samples may be higher)
- Document any recent occupational or environmental exposures in patient history

How our test process works!