What does the Thallium (Tl), Urine, Random test measure?

Why is Thallium (Tl), Urine, Random measured?

Thallium toxicity produces a characteristic clinical triad of gastrointestinal symptoms, peripheral neuropathy, and alopecia — the latter resulting from thallium's disruption of keratinisation in hair follicles. In the general population, tobacco smoking is the predominant source of low-level thallium exposure. Urinary thallium is included in comprehensive toxic metal panels as an environmental exposure marker and is a clinically important element to flag when alopecia or peripheral neuropathy accompanies multi-metal burden. Elevated thallium in non-smokers warrants investigation of diet, water source, and geographic/occupational exposure history.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

<0.5 µg/g creatinine # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Mosaic Diagnostics reference range for urinary thallium — population reference values are not widely standardised.

Functional medicine optimal

Undetectable to minimal. # REVIEWER FLAG: No standardised optimal below reference range.

Units

µg/g creatinine, µg/L

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