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Test for Manganese Levels
  Manganese Levels, Test For
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Whole blood manganese levels are considered to be a reliable measure of body manganese. Hair manganese levels also correlate well with manganese levels in other body tissues, but dark hair dyes can contain manganese and thus falsely elevate readings. In the case of extremely high manganese levels obtained from scalp hair, pubic hair should be tested as a control. Low hair manganese levels are considered reliable.





Test for Manganese Levels can help with the following:
Addictions  Alcohol-related Problems

Allergy

  Indoor Allergies
 Low blood manganese levels may accentuate allergies.

  Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever
 Low blood manganese levels may accentuate allergies.

Environment / Toxicity

  Zinc Toxicity
 Zinc causes a decrease in serum manganese levels.

Hormones

  Histapenia (Histamine Low)
  Histadelia (Histamine High)

Mental

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  Schizophrenia

Metabolic

  Pyroluria

Nervous System

  Seizure Disorder
 Sohler (1979) compared blood manganese (Mn) levels in a group of patients with seizure activity to those in a control group. Blood Mn levels from control subjects had a mean of 14.8ng/gm (ppb). The blood Mn levels were significantly lower in the patients with seizure activity, at 9.9 +/- 4.9ng/gm, p < 0.005). In uncontrolled trials several doctors found that Mn is helpful in controlling seizures of both minor and major types.

In one case report, a twelve-year-old boy with poorly controlled epilepsy experienced a reduction in seizure frequency after receiving 20mg per day of manganese. Although this research is encouraging, it must still be considered preliminary.


KEY
May do some good
Likely to help
Highly recommended


GLOSSARY

Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.

Epilepsy
Chronic brain disorder associated with some seizures and, typically, alteration of consciousness.

Gram (gm, gms, Gramme, Grammes, Grams)
A metric unit of weight, there being approximately 28 grams in one ounce.

Manganese
An essential mineral found in trace amounts in tissues of the body. Adults normally contain an average of 10 to 20mg of manganese in their bodies, most of which is contained in bone, the liver and the kidneys. Manganese is essential to several critical enzymes necessary for energy production, bone and blood formation, nerve function and protein metabolism. It is involved in the metabolism of fats and glucose, the production of cholesterol and it allows the body to use thiamine and Vitamin E. It is also involved in the building and degrading of proteins and nucleic acid, biogenic amine metabolism, which involves the transmitting of nerve impulses.

Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.

Nanogram (ng)
0.000000001 or a billionth of a gram.

ppb
Parts Per Billion. A measure of the concentration of a substance, usually in air or water.

Seizure (Seizures)
While there are over 40 types of seizure, most are classed as either partial seizures which occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain is limited to one area or generalized seizures which occur when the excessive electrical activity in the brain encompasses the entire organ. Although there is a wide range of signs, they mainly include such things as falling to the ground; muscle stiffening; jerking and twitching; loss of consciousness; an empty stare; rapid chewing/blinking/breathing. Usually lasting from between a couple of seconds and several minutes, recovery may be immediate or take up to several days.

Serum
The cell-free fluid of the bloodstream. It appears in a test tube after the blood clots and is often used in expressions relating to the levels of certain compounds in the blood stream.

Zinc
An essential trace mineral. The functions of zinc are enzymatic. There are over 70 metalloenzymes known to require zinc for their functions. The main biochemicals in which zinc has been found to be necessary include: enzymes and enzymatic function, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Zinc is necessary for the proper metabolism of alcohol, to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in working muscles and to transfer it to the lungs. Zinc is involved in the health of the immune system, assists vitamin A utilization and is involved in the formation of bone and teeth.




Last updated: Apr 13, 2008


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