Manganese blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Manganese is a trace element that helps enzymes involved in bone formation, energy use and protection against oxidative damage. Most people take in enough from foods such as wholegrains, nuts, leafy vegetables and tea, and true deficiency is rare.

The more common concern is too much manganese. Inhaled manganese dust or fumes, for example in welding, mining, steelwork or battery manufacture, can accumulate in the body and affect the nervous system. Because manganese is cleared mainly through the liver into bile, people with liver disease may also retain more of it. This test measures the level of manganese in your blood at the time of sampling.

The price includes the sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You work, or have worked, in welding, metal fabrication, mining or another job with manganese dust or fumes.
• You have liver disease and your doctor would like to check for manganese build-up.
• You have been on long-term intravenous or specialist nutrition.
• You have noticed tremor, stiffness, mood change or memory problems and want to look at possible exposures.
• Your occupational health adviser has asked for a manganese level.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your manganese level against the laboratory reference range. A raised level can reflect recent or ongoing exposure, reduced clearance through the liver, or contamination from supplements or other sources. A low level is uncommon and is usually linked to very restricted nutrition.

Blood levels do not always mirror how much manganese has built up in the brain or other tissues, so results are interpreted alongside your work history, symptoms and other tests. An unexpected result is a reason to talk things through with your practitioner and GP, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

No fasting is usually required. Please tell us about any multivitamin, mineral or joint supplements you take, as some contain manganese, along with your job and any known exposure. We confirm any specific preparation when you book.

If you are concerned about metals more widely, you may also wish to look at our liver function tests, as the liver plays a central role in clearing manganese. You can browse every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a manganese blood test in Chiswick?

The Manganese test is £119. The price includes the sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who is most likely to have a high manganese level?

People exposed to manganese dust or fumes at work, those with significant liver disease and people on long-term intravenous nutrition are the groups most often tested.

Can diet cause manganese poisoning?

This is very unusual. The body controls how much manganese it absorbs from food, and toxicity is mostly linked to inhaled exposure or reduced clearance.

Does a normal result mean I have had no exposure?

Not necessarily. Blood levels reflect the recent picture and may not show build-up in tissues, so your practitioner will look at the result alongside your exposure history.