Immune & Allergy - Bloody Good
Heavy Metals & Toxicology

Gold

Work with gold or exposed through treatment? The Gold Blood Test measures how much gold is in the body. While gold is used in jewellery and industry, high levels usually come from medical treatments or workplace exposure. This test may help check for overexposure and monitor possible effects on the kidneys or immune system.

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Gold

Receiving gold-based medical treatments, have occupational exposure to gold, or need monitoring for potential gold accumulation from therapeutic or environmental sources?

Overview

Gold testing works like having a precision detector in your bloodstream that can spot even the tiniest traces of gold, helping doctors monitor whether gold-based treatments are working effectively or if harmful levels are building up in your body. Gold might seem like an unusual medicine, but it's actually been used for decades to treat rheumatoid arthritis, where special gold compounds act like skilled peacekeepers that calm inflammation and help protect your joints from damage. However, gold behaves like a houseguest that tends to overstay its welcome – it can accumulate in your tissues over time and potentially cause serious problems with your kidneys, blood, skin, or liver if levels get too high.

This test is essential because gold therapy walks a tightrope between being helpful and harmful, with a relatively narrow sweet spot between effective treatment and toxicity. Regular monitoring allows your healthcare provider to fine-tune your treatment, ensuring you get the inflammation-fighting benefits while staying safely below dangerous levels. The testing is also valuable for people who work with gold regularly – like miners, jewelers, or electronics workers – since it can catch early signs of gold buildup before any symptoms appear, giving you a heads-up if occupational exposure is becoming a concern.

Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran
Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer

Symptoms

You may benefit from this test if you experience:
Occupational metal exposure Skin rashes after eating certain foods Chemical sensitivities Joint pain in multiple locations

Purpose

Essential for patients on gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, workers with occupational gold exposure, or individuals requiring toxicity assessment after gold exposure.

How to prepare

No special preparation required. Inform healthcare provider of all medications, especially gold-containing drugs, and any recent dental work or occupational exposures. Blood sample collected by trained phlebotomist. Fasting not required.

Understanding results

Results show gold concentration in blood compared to reference ranges. Therapeutic levels for gold therapy are typically 1-3 mg/L. Higher levels may indicate toxicity risk requiring dose adjustment or treatment discontinuation.

After the test

Therapeutic levels require continued monitoring and possible dose adjustments. Elevated levels may necessitate treatment modification, increased monitoring, or discontinuation. Address any symptoms of toxicity promptly with healthcare providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Gold compounds have anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties that can reduce joint inflammation and slow disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis, though newer treatments are now more commonly used.
  • Typically monthly during initial treatment, then every 2-3 months during maintenance therapy, with more frequent monitoring if side effects develop or doses are adjusted.
  • Symptoms can include skin rashes, mouth sores, kidney problems, blood disorders, liver dysfunction, and gastrointestinal issues. Regular monitoring helps detect toxicity before serious symptoms develop.
  • Gold can persist in tissues for months to years after treatment stops, with elimination half-life of several months, which is why monitoring may continue after discontinuation.
  • Blood testing primarily detects soluble gold compounds from medical treatments or occupational exposure. Jewelry typically doesn't release significant amounts of gold into the bloodstream.
  • Yes, newer DMARDs and biologic therapies are now more commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis due to better safety profiles and effectiveness compared to gold compounds.
Gold

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What to expect

We want you to feel bloody good—inside and out. Regular testing isn’t just about checking your current health; it helps you spot abnormal values you might not know about.

1

Book your referral

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2

Collect your sample

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3
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