Poisoning Blood Test & Toxicology Screening

What is Poisoning?

Poisoning occurs when harmful substances enter the body in amounts that cause adverse health effects. It is caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, drugs, plants, heavy metals, or contaminated substances through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. The Dextro/Levo Methorphan LC/MS/MS Urine test is the most important test for diagnosing methorphan-related poisoning cases involving cough medicines and similar products.

RECOMMENDED TEST Dextro/Levo Methorphan, LC/MS/MS, Urine
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What causes poisoning?

Poisoning is caused by exposure to toxic substances that overwhelm your body's ability to process them safely. Common causes include accidental ingestion of household chemicals, medication overdoses, contaminated food or water, carbon monoxide exposure, heavy metal exposure like lead or mercury, venomous bites or stings, and misuse of drugs or alcohol. The severity depends on the type of substance, amount consumed, and how quickly treatment is received. Children are especially vulnerable to accidental poisoning from household products, while adults more commonly experience poisoning from medications or workplace chemical exposure.

What is the best test for poisoning?

The Dextro/Levo Methorphan LC/MS/MS Urine test is the most important test for diagnosing poisoning from cough medicines and products containing dextromethorphan or levomethorphan because it uses advanced liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to precisely detect and measure these substances in your urine. This test is essential when you experience symptoms like severe dizziness, confusion, or breathing difficulties after taking cough medicine. For suspected poisoning from other substances, comprehensive toxicology screenings including blood tests, urine drug screens, heavy metal panels, and carbon monoxide level tests may be ordered based on your symptoms and exposure history. The specific testing depends on what substance you were exposed to and your clinical presentation.

When should I get tested for poisoning?

You should get tested if you experience sudden unexplained symptoms after exposure to chemicals, medications, or unknown substances, including severe nausea, vomiting, confusion, difficulty breathing, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Testing is also important if you suspect accidental overdose of medications, have been exposed to industrial chemicals or cleaning products, notice symptoms after consuming food or beverages that tasted unusual, or work in environments with chemical exposure. Immediate medical attention and testing are critical if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, as early identification of the toxic substance guides life-saving treatment.

What are the symptoms of poisoning?
Poisoning symptoms vary depending on the substance but commonly include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, seizures, loss of consciousness, and skin irritation or burns. You might notice unusual breath odors, excessive sweating, dilated or constricted pupils, irregular heartbeat, or tremors. Some poisons cause delayed symptoms that appear hours or days after exposure, while others produce immediate effects. The type and severity of symptoms depend on the toxic substance involved, the amount absorbed, and the route of exposure.
Who is at risk for poisoning?
Young children under age six are at highest risk due to accidental ingestion of household products, medications, or plants. People who work with chemicals, pesticides, or industrial substances face occupational exposure risks. Individuals taking multiple medications are vulnerable to accidental overdoses or dangerous drug interactions. Those with mental health conditions may be at increased risk for intentional poisoning. Elderly individuals can accidentally take incorrect medication doses due to confusion or vision problems. People who use recreational drugs or alcohol also face higher poisoning risks from contaminated or unexpectedly potent substances.
What happens if poisoning is left untreated?
Untreated poisoning can lead to severe organ damage, particularly affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain. Depending on the toxic substance, you may develop permanent neurological damage, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, coma, or death. Some poisons cause progressive damage over time, meaning delays in treatment result in worse outcomes. Heavy metal poisoning can lead to chronic health problems including cognitive impairment and nervous system damage. Even after surviving acute poisoning, you may experience long-term complications such as kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, or permanent brain damage. Immediate medical treatment significantly improves survival rates and reduces the risk of lasting complications.
Can poisoning be diagnosed with a blood test?
Yes, blood tests are essential tools for diagnosing many types of poisoning by detecting and measuring specific toxins, drugs, chemicals, or heavy metals in your bloodstream. Blood tests can identify medication levels, alcohol concentration, carbon monoxide, lead, mercury, and numerous other toxic substances. These tests help healthcare providers confirm suspected poisoning, identify unknown substances causing your symptoms, and monitor how your body is eliminating the toxin during treatment. Urine tests complement blood work by detecting certain drugs and chemicals that appear in urine. The specific tests ordered depend on your symptoms and suspected exposure.
How is poisoning treated?
Poisoning treatment depends on the substance involved and may include activated charcoal to absorb toxins in your stomach if given soon after ingestion, gastric lavage to wash out stomach contents, specific antidotes that counteract particular poisons, intravenous fluids to support kidney function and toxin elimination, breathing support or oxygen therapy, medications to control symptoms like seizures or irregular heartbeat, and hemodialysis to filter toxins from your blood in severe cases. Treatment begins with stabilizing vital signs and preventing further toxin absorption. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes, which is why immediate medical attention is critical for any suspected poisoning case.
How can I prevent poisoning?
You can prevent poisoning by storing all medications, cleaning products, and chemicals in locked cabinets out of children's reach, keeping substances in their original labeled containers, reading and following all medication instructions carefully, never mixing cleaning products, installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home, properly disposing of expired medications, avoiding expired or improperly stored food, wearing protective equipment when handling chemicals, and keeping poison control center numbers easily accessible. Never take medications in the dark or when you cannot read labels clearly. Teach children never to eat unknown plants or berries, and supervise them carefully around household products.
What should I do at home if poisoning occurs?
If poisoning occurs, immediately call 911 or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 before attempting any home treatment. Stay calm and provide information about what substance was consumed, how much, and when. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by poison control, as this can cause additional harm with certain substances. Remove any remaining poison from the person's reach and save the container or package for medical personnel. If the substance touched skin or eyes, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes. If the person is unconscious or having difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, and keep them on their side to prevent choking.
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Long story short:
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  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
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Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.
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Dextro/Levo Methorphan, LC/MS/MS, Urine
Google reviews 505 reviews
$725 $566
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

Sample results

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