Blood Arsenic
Other marker
Arsenic
Blood Arsenic
Measures arsenic exposure in whole blood. Blood arsenic reflects recent exposure (it clears within a couple of days as arsenic redistributes to tissues), so urine is usually preferred for confirming exposure. Arsenic is a toxic metalloid linked to skin, neurological, and cardiovascular effects and to cancer at chronic exposure.
PED Notes
Arsenic is a genuine contamination concern for enhanced athletes. Underground-lab (UGL) gear, some imported peptides, and low-quality supplements are not always tested for heavy metals, and contaminated products have been documented. Certain protein powders, greens powders, and seafood-derived supplements can also carry arsenic (though dietary organic arsenic from seafood is far less toxic than inorganic arsenic and transiently raises blood levels). A low or undetectable level is normal and healthy, so only high values are meaningful. The bodybuilder range equals the standard range; the difference for PED users is a higher likelihood of exposure through contaminated products, not a different healthy target.
When high
When elevated (>0.13 umol/L, roughly >10 ug/L):
- A raised blood arsenic indicates recent exposure. Recent seafood intake is a common benign cause (organic arsenobetaine), so ask about diet before assuming toxicity.
- What to do:
- Repeat after avoiding seafood for several days, and consider a urine arsenic (with speciation to separate toxic inorganic arsenic from harmless organic forms) for a clearer picture.
- Review supplement and, where relevant, source quality: stop suspect UGL products, unbranded peptides, and untested powders; favour products with third-party heavy-metal testing (for example NSF or Informed Sport certification).
- Check drinking water if from a private bore or high-risk region.
- For significant or symptomatic exposure (skin changes, neuropathy, GI upset), seek medical or toxicology review; chelation is a physician-supervised decision, not a self-treatment.
History Chart
Reading History
Frequently Asked Questions
Reference Ranges
Standard Range
VitalMetrics Range