What Is an Aluminium Blood Test?
An aluminium blood test measures the concentration of aluminium in your serum or plasma. Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and is present in soil, water, food, and many everyday products. In healthy individuals, only a tiny fraction of ingested aluminium is absorbed (0.1–0.3%), and the kidneys efficiently excrete it in urine.
Aluminium has no known biological function in the human body. At normal levels, it is harmless. However, when levels accumulate — primarily due to impaired kidney function, occupational exposure, or certain medical treatments — aluminium can become toxic, particularly to the brain, bones, and bone marrow.
Why Is Aluminium Tested?
- Monitor aluminium levels in patients on long-term haemodialysis — the primary clinical indication
- Investigate aluminium toxicity symptoms: cognitive impairment, bone pain, or unexplained anaemia in dialysis patients
- Assess occupational exposure in workers in aluminium smelting, welding, or manufacturing
- Evaluate patients on long-term aluminium-containing antacids or phosphate binders
- Investigate unexplained osteomalacia (bone softening) in patients with kidney disease
- Monitor patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) — aluminium contamination can accumulate
Normal Ranges
| Category | Level (µg/L) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Normal (non-exposed) | Below 10 | Within safe limits |
| Acceptable (dialysis patients) | Below 20 | Safe for dialysis patients |
| Elevated (monitoring needed) | 20 – 60 | Increased surveillance recommended |
| Toxic | Above 60 | Clinical toxicity possible — intervention needed |
| Severely toxic | Above 100 | Significant toxicity risk — desferrioxamine chelation may be required |
Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. Aluminium testing requires trace-element-free collection tubes to avoid contamination.
Check Your Aluminium Levels at Home
The Core Health 45 includes Aluminium testing along with 44 other biomarkers. Results in 2 working days with a free at-home phlebotomist visit.
View Core Health 45 →Causes of Elevated Aluminium
- Chronic kidney disease/dialysis: The most common cause — impaired renal excretion allows accumulation. Dialysis water and aluminium-containing phosphate binders are additional sources
- Aluminium-containing antacids: Long-term use of sucralfate or aluminium hydroxide antacids, especially in patients with reduced kidney function
- Occupational exposure: Aluminium smelting, welding, grinding, or dust inhalation in manufacturing
- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN): Glass vials and solution additives can contain trace aluminium
- Contaminated dialysis water: If water treatment systems fail to remove aluminium adequately
- High dietary intake in renal impairment: Tea, some processed foods, and aluminium cookware contribute small amounts that healthy kidneys easily clear
Health Effects of Aluminium Toxicity
- Dialysis encephalopathy: Progressive cognitive decline, speech difficulties, seizures, and dementia in dialysis patients with chronic aluminium accumulation
- Aluminium bone disease: Osteomalacia (bone softening) due to aluminium replacing calcium in bone mineralisation
- Microcytic anaemia: Aluminium interferes with iron incorporation into haemoglobin
- Myopathy: Muscle weakness from aluminium deposition in muscle tissue
How to Reduce Aluminium Exposure
- Avoid aluminium-containing antacids if you have kidney disease: Ask your GP about alternatives
- Use aluminium-free cookware: Stainless steel, cast iron, or glass are preferable for acidic foods (lemon, tomato) which leach aluminium
- Filter drinking water: Reverse osmosis filters effectively remove aluminium
- Read labels: Some baking powders, processed cheese, and pickled foods contain aluminium additives
- Occupational protection: Use appropriate respiratory protection in industrial settings
- Monitor dialysis patients regularly: Quarterly aluminium levels are recommended for haemodialysis patients
When Should You Get Tested?
- You are on long-term haemodialysis — routine monitoring is standard practice
- You take aluminium-containing medications (antacids, phosphate binders) regularly
- You work in aluminium smelting, welding, or manufacturing
- You have chronic kidney disease and experience unexplained bone pain or cognitive changes
- You are on long-term parenteral nutrition
- You want to check your aluminium exposure levels for peace of mind
Which Lola Health Tests Include Aluminium?
Aluminium testing is available as an add-on biomarker with Lola Health tests:
Check Your Aluminium Levels
Get a comprehensive blood test from Lola Health with GP-certified results and personalised recommendations. All tests use venous blood draws for medical-grade accuracy.
At-Home Blood Testing
Check your levels from home
Professional phlebotomist visit. Doctor-reviewed results in 2-5 days. Track your health with comprehensive blood panels.
→45-70 biomarkers tested · Venous blood draw · From £130