Which tests measure Mercury (Hair)?

Mercury (Hair) is measured in 1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Hair Toxic Element Exposure Profile.

Biomarker Reference · Hg

What does the Mercury (Hair) test measure?

Q: Why is Mercury (Hair) measured?

Hair mercury is the standard biomarker for methylmercury exposure assessment, particularly in women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and children. Elevated levels indicate high fish consumption or environmental contamination. Clinical interpretation weighs neurodevelopmental risk against the nutritional benefits of fish. Acute elemental mercury exposure (occupational, from broken thermometers) is assessed by blood and urine, not hair.

Q: What is the reference range for Mercury (Hair)?

The standard reference range for Mercury (Hair) is Typically <1–2 µg/g in general populations; higher in high-seafood-consuming groups. WHO and EPA reference doses correspond to maternal hair mercury ~1–2 µg/g.. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Mercury (Hair) (Hg) is a clinical biomarker used in heavy-metals-toxicology assessment. Methylmercury from seafood is the dominant contributor to hair mercury in non-occupational populations. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: Typically <1–2 µg/g in general populations; higher in high-seafood-consuming groups. WHO and EPA reference doses correspond to maternal hair mercury ~1–2 µg/g.
Units: µg/g, ppm
Measured In: 1 test
Category: Heavy Metals

Functional medicine optimalLevels below 1 µg/g are generally considered lower-risk; pregnant women and women planning pregnancy are advised to limit exposure to keep hair mercury well below regulatory reference doses.

What is Mercury (Hair)?

Methylmercury from seafood is the dominant contributor to hair mercury in non-occupational populations. Hair mercury reliably reflects methylmercury exposure over the preceding months and is the preferred biomarker for assessing chronic dietary intake. Inorganic mercury (from dental amalgam or occupational sources) contributes less to hair content. Mercury in hair correlates with neurodevelopmental risk in foetal and early childhood exposures.

Why is Mercury (Hair) measured?

Hair mercury is the standard biomarker for methylmercury exposure assessment, particularly in women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and children. Elevated levels indicate high fish consumption or environmental contamination. Clinical interpretation weighs neurodevelopmental risk against the nutritional benefits of fish. Acute elemental mercury exposure (occupational, from broken thermometers) is assessed by blood and urine, not hair.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: Typically <1–2 µg/g in general populations; higher in high-seafood-consuming groups. WHO and EPA reference doses correspond to maternal hair mercury ~1–2 µg/g.
Functional medicine optimal: Levels below 1 µg/g are generally considered lower-risk; pregnant women and women planning pregnancy are advised to limit exposure to keep hair mercury well below regulatory reference doses.
Units: µg/g, ppm

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Mercury (Hair)

1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-HMT-017Comprehensive

Hair Toxic Element Exposure Profile

Mercury (Hair) reference range in this test: Typically <1–2 µg/g in general populations; higher in high-seafood-consuming groups. WHO and EPA reference doses correspond to maternal hair mercury ~1–2 µg/g.

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Aluminium (Hair)Al1 test Arsenic (Hair)As1 test Cadmium (Hair)Cd1 test Lead (Hair)Pb1 test Antimony (Hair)Sb1 test Uranium (Hair)U1 test Thallium (Hair)Tl1 test

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