Receiving gold-based medical treatments, have occupational exposure to gold, or need monitoring for potential gold accumulation from therapeutic or environmental sources?
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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So how does it work?
Bloody Good is a single portal for ordering, tracking, and reviewing on-demand health testing. Get started with three simple steps:
1
Book your test
Choose the testing that suits your goals. After ordering, you will receive your referral by email.
2
Collect your samples
Have your sample collected at one of our 4000+ partner collection centres.
3
View your results
View your lab results and receive a personalised review from the secure Bloody Good platform.
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.
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
You may benefit from the Gold Blood Test
Essential for patients on gold therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, workers with occupational gold exposure, or individuals requiring toxicity assessment after gold exposure.
Occupational metal exposure
Skin rashes after eating certain foods
Chemical sensitivities
Joint pain in multiple locations
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.
Bloody Good is a single portal for ordering, tracking, and reviewing on-demand health testing.
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Find answers to common questions about our products and services.
Most collection centres accept walk-ins. Some may require a booking - check details when you click on your chosen location.
If your test needs fasting, we’ll include that in your instructions after you order. Fasting usually means no food for 8–12 hours, but water is fine.
Just your pathology referral form (we email it to you)
Of course. Just maybe don’t bring the friend who faints at the sight of blood.
They’re the highly trained professionals who take your blood sample - with a steady hand and a sharp needle. They love blood, but don’t worry… they’re not vampires. Just legends who make blood tests quick, clean, and (almost) painless.
Some of our tests include Urine, Stool, Saliva and more. Each test will have a clear description on what sample you will need to give and instructions on how.
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