Trace Element Estimation – Methods & Clinical Context

Understanding the effects of trace metals on human health is as complex as it is fascinating. As mentioned earlier, the high concentrations may prove toxic, as also, depletion in the concentration of the essential trace elements may cause various metabolic instabilities due to enzyme dysfunction. In the era of rapid industrialization and technological advances, it is imperative to watch keenly for contamination of the environment and its vital composition from heavy metal wastes emanating out of industries. Many metabolic disorders in man are accompanied by alterations in the concentration of one or more trace elements in some body fluid, especially blood serum or plasma It is thus important to update ourselves with various techniques available for such determinations, their operational aspects, advantages / disadvantages etc. More recently, element analysis from hair and nail has been stated as the best indices of such contamination and has also been discussed in this article.

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