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Mercury, blood Test

Mercury, blood Test

February 2, 2026
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Do I need a Mercury, blood test?

Experiencing unexplained fatigue, memory issues, or tingling in your hands and feet? Could mercury exposure be affecting your nervous system, and would testing help you find answers?

Mercury is a toxic metal that can accumulate in your body from contaminated fish, dental fillings, or environmental sources. When levels rise, it can damage your nervous system and kidneys.

Testing your mercury levels gives you a vital snapshot of potential toxic exposure, helping you identify whether mercury is behind your symptoms so you can adjust your diet, reduce exposure sources, and protect your long-term neurological health.

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Get tested with Superpower

If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of Mercury, blood testing

  • Measures current mercury exposure from fish, dental fillings, or environmental sources.
  • Flags toxic levels that may cause neurological symptoms like tremor or memory loss.
  • Guides removal of exposure sources to prevent kidney and brain damage.
  • Protects fertility by identifying levels that impair sperm quality or ovarian function.
  • Supports pregnancy safety by detecting mercury that crosses the placenta and harms fetal development.
  • Tracks detoxification progress after occupational or dietary exposure is reduced.
  • Clarifies unexplained fatigue, numbness, or mood changes linked to chronic mercury toxicity.
  • Best interpreted with symptom history and details of fish intake or amalgam fillings.

What is Mercury, blood?

Mercury in blood measures the amount of this toxic heavy metal circulating in your bloodstream at the time of testing. It enters the body primarily through diet, especially from fish and shellfish that accumulate mercury from polluted water, or through occupational and environmental exposures such as dental amalgams, industrial emissions, or broken thermometers.

Mercury doesn't belong in your body

Unlike essential minerals like iron or zinc, mercury serves no biological function. It is a potent neurotoxin that binds to proteins and enzymes, disrupting cellular processes throughout the body. The brain, kidneys, and developing fetuses are especially vulnerable.

Blood mercury reflects recent exposure

Blood levels rise and fall relatively quickly, making this test a snapshot of your current or very recent mercury intake. Organic mercury (methylmercury) from fish is absorbed efficiently and crosses into the brain and placenta. Inorganic mercury from other sources behaves differently but is still harmful.

Measuring blood mercury helps identify ongoing exposure and guides decisions about dietary choices, occupational safety, and medical interventions when levels are concerning.

Why is Mercury, blood important?

Blood mercury measures your body's exposure to a toxic heavy metal that disrupts cellular function across the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Even small amounts can interfere with enzyme activity, neurotransmitter signaling, and immune regulation. Because mercury accumulates over time, this test reveals both recent exposure and chronic burden.

When mercury stays undetectable

In healthy individuals, blood mercury is typically undetectable or extremely low, reflecting minimal exposure from diet or environment. This is the optimal state. The body has limited capacity to neutralize mercury, so the less present, the better.

What rising levels reveal about your body

Elevated blood mercury usually stems from consuming large predatory fish like swordfish, tuna, or shark, or from occupational and environmental sources. As levels rise, mercury binds to sulfur-containing proteins in neurons, impairing brain function and causing tremor, memory loss, mood changes, and numbness.

Children and developing fetuses are especially vulnerable. Mercury crosses the placenta and disrupts fetal brain development, affecting cognition and motor skills. In adults, chronic elevation damages the kidneys' filtration units and may increase cardiovascular risk through oxidative stress and endothelial injury.

The long view on mercury and health

Blood mercury connects environmental exposure to neurologic and renal health over decades. Persistent elevation accelerates cognitive decline, raises hypertension risk, and may contribute to autoimmune dysfunction. Monitoring this biomarker helps identify hidden toxicity before irreversible damage occurs.

What do my Mercury, blood results mean?

Low or undetectable mercury levels

Low values usually reflect minimal recent exposure to mercury from environmental or dietary sources. This is the expected and desirable state for most people. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal with no known physiological role in the human body, so lower levels indicate less burden on detoxification systems in the liver and kidneys and reduced risk of neurological, renal, or cardiovascular effects associated with chronic accumulation.

Optimal mercury levels

Being in range suggests that any mercury exposure from fish consumption, dental amalgams, or occupational contact remains below thresholds associated with clinical toxicity. For mercury, optimal is as low as measurable, ideally near or below detection limits. There is no beneficial level of mercury in blood.

Elevated mercury levels

High values usually reflect increased exposure, most commonly from consumption of large predatory fish such as tuna, swordfish, or shark, which bioaccumulate methylmercury. Occupational exposure and certain cultural or medicinal practices can also contribute. Elevated mercury can impair nervous system function, particularly in developing brains, and may affect kidney filtration, immune regulation, and cardiovascular health over time.

Factors that influence mercury results

Blood mercury reflects recent exposure over days to weeks. Levels vary with diet, geographic location, and individual detoxification capacity. Pregnancy and early childhood are periods of heightened vulnerability to neurotoxic effects.

Method: Laboratory-developed test (LDT) validated under CLIA; not cleared or approved by the FDA. Results are interpreted by clinicians in context and are not a stand-alone diagnosis.

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Similar biomarker tests from Superpower

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How it works
What should I expect during a blood draw?
  • A trained phlebotomist will guide you through the process.
  • A tourniquet is placed on your arm, the site is cleaned, and a small needle is used to collect blood into one or more tubes.
  • Results are usually ready in about a week.
  • Most people feel only a quick pinch.
  • The needle is removed, gentle pressure is applied, and a bandage is placed.
How do I prepare for a blood draw?
  • Drink plenty of water beforehand — hydration makes veins easier to find.
  • Wear loose sleeves so your arm is easy to access.
  • Follow any fasting instructions you’ve been given.
  • Let us know if you’re on medications, have fainted before, or have needle anxiety.
What should I do after my blood draw?
  • Press gently on the site for a few minutes.
  • Keep the bandage on for 4-6 hours.
  • Skip heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
  • Drink extra water to rehydrate.
  • Monitor the site for redness, swelling, or pain.
How do I book a blood draw with Superpower?

Your membership includes:

  • An annual full body test and report across 100+ biomarkers
  • A personalized action plan to optimize your biomarkers and reach your health goals
  • A dashboard to centralize your health data and track changes across a lifetime
  • Access to a health concierge for questions on your plan and help scheduling
  • Plus a marketplace of curated health products and services cheaper than amazon

Many concierge clinics charge $10k – $100k for their services, we’ve built technology to make the world’s best healthcare as accessible as possible via an all-in-one membership.

Where can I take my blood test?

Superpower is currently available in the following US states:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
Our testing
Does Superpower replace my primary care provider?

Superpower specializes in prevention-based testing and treatments and is not intended for emergency or immediate health issues.

While you will have a Superpower care team, your annual membership is designed to complement a primary care doctor if you have one, not replace them.

We are happy to help you share any test results with an outside provider to ensure you receive well-rounded medical care.

How fast are blood test results and how do I read them?

Your annual lab test panel takes about a week to process. We will text you as soon as they become available in your dashboard. Other types of tests may have different testing windows. The Superpower concierge is your own health assistant who helps answer your questions on your results, ensure smooth scheduling, coordination of any office-based tests, specialist referrals as needed, and navigating you to interface with your care team.

Does Superpower accept health insurance?

Superpower membership and products are all eligible for HSA/FSA funding.

We see Superpower like a gym membership for those committed to prevention and performance. Superpower is a bridge between wellness and healthcare. Health insurance traditionally focuses on reactive care whereas, at Superpower, we believe it’s never too early to start looking out for your long-term health.

What if I want more than 1 blood test per year?

Absolutely — you're not limited to just one. Your membership includes one comprehensive 100+ biomarker blood test each year, but if you'd like to track your progress more closely, you can add extra tests at any time. Each additional full-panel test costs $179. You can order as many as you'd like throughout the year.

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Vinay Hiremath, Founder of Loom

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Jordi Hayes, Founder of Capital.xyz

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury, blood Test

What is a mercury blood test and what does it measure in my body?

A mercury blood test measures the amount of mercury circulating in your bloodstream at the time of testing. It reflects current or very recent exposure, most commonly from dietary sources like fish and shellfish, or from environmental and occupational sources such as industrial emissions, dental amalgams, and broken thermometers. Because mercury has no biological role and is toxic, any detectable level generally indicates exposure rather than a healthy baseline.

How does blood mercury testing help identify mercury exposure from fish like tuna or swordfish?

Blood mercury levels rise and fall relatively quickly, so the test acts as a snapshot of recent intake - especially methylmercury from fish, which is efficiently absorbed. Frequent consumption of large predatory fish (such as tuna, swordfish, or shark) is a common driver of elevated results because mercury bioaccumulates up the food chain. Pairing results with a fish-intake history helps pinpoint whether seafood is the primary exposure source.

Why is mercury in blood considered dangerous even at low levels?

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that binds to proteins and enzymes, disrupting cellular processes throughout the body. It offers no health benefit, unlike essential minerals (e.g., iron or zinc), so lower levels are generally better. Even low-level accumulation may affect nervous system function and contribute to oxidative stress. The brain, kidneys, and developing fetuses are especially vulnerable, making minimizing exposure important over the long term.

What symptoms can high blood mercury levels cause, like tremor, numbness, or memory problems?

Elevated blood mercury can affect the central nervous system first, leading to tremors, memory impairment, mood changes, fatigue, concentration issues, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. With ongoing exposure, mercury can also damage kidney function and has been linked to cardiovascular effects such as increased blood pressure. Symptom patterns plus exposure history (fish, work, environment, fillings) helps interpret whether mercury is a likely contributor.

How should I interpret low, optimal, or elevated mercury blood test results?

Low or undetectable mercury typically suggests minimal recent exposure and is generally desirable because mercury has no physiological role. “In-range” results often reflect population reference ranges rather than a true biological optimum; expert consensus favors levels as close to zero as possible. Elevated results usually indicate increased recent exposure, commonly from large predatory fish, occupational contact, or environmental sources, and may raise concern for neurological and renal effects.

How long does mercury stay in the blood, and does this test show long-term body burden?

Blood mercury reflects recent exposure over days to weeks and can change relatively quickly when intake or exposure changes. It does not fully capture long-term body burden stored in tissues, so a normal blood level does not always rule out past exposure. Timing matters - results are best interpreted alongside recent dietary history, occupational exposures, and when the blood sample was collected relative to suspected mercury intake.

How does blood mercury affect pregnancy, fertility, and fetal development?

Mercury can cross the placenta and disrupt fetal brain development, making monitoring especially important during pregnancy. Children and teens are also more vulnerable because their nervous systems are still developing. Elevated mercury has also been associated with impaired fertility by affecting sperm quality or ovarian function. A blood mercury test can help identify current exposure and guide steps to reduce risk through dietary and environmental changes.

Can dental amalgam fillings raise my blood mercury level, and how is that evaluated?

Dental amalgams are listed as a potential mercury exposure source, and a blood mercury test can help evaluate whether you have ongoing exposure. However, blood mercury primarily reflects recent circulating levels and is best interpreted in context - symptoms, occupational history, and details about fillings and fish consumption. Because mercury types behave differently in the body, clinicians often use the exposure history to judge whether dental sources are likely contributors.

What should I do if my blood mercury level is high—how do I reduce exposure safely?

High blood mercury usually signals ongoing exposure, so the key step is identifying and removing sources: reduce intake of high-mercury predatory fish, address occupational or environmental exposures, and review potential sources like dental amalgams where relevant. The test can then be repeated to track detoxification progress after exposure is reduced. Because mercury can affect the brain and kidneys, medical guidance is important when levels are concerning or symptoms are present.

Why might my mercury blood test be “in range” even if I have fatigue, mood changes, or numbness?

Reference ranges often reflect population norms, not a true “optimal” level, and mercury offers no biological benefit - so symptoms can still occur with subclinical or fluctuating exposure. Blood mercury also reflects recent exposure rather than long-term tissue storage, so timing can miss earlier peaks. Interpreting results alongside symptom history, fish intake patterns, occupational/environmental risks, and the sampling timeline helps determine whether mercury remains a plausible factor.

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