Mercury (Blood) levels: what's normal, high and low
Blood mercury level. Mostly reflects recent exposure (commonly from fish consumption).
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Mercury (Blood) is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 10.0 mcg/L. At TestWell it's $84.99 all-in as Heavy Metals Panel (Basic), results in 5–7 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- mcg/L / ug/L
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 5–7 business days
- Price
- $84.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp
Mercury (Blood) Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18+ | 0.000 – 10.0 mcg/L |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
Have a result in hand? analyze it with your AI assistant using these reviewed ranges, or run it through our explainer. Tools: look up another marker's range · convert lab units
What your Mercury (Blood) result may mean
Often reflects high consumption of large predatory fish (tuna, swordfish, shark) or occupational exposure.
What a high Mercury (Blood) means: causes, symptoms, next steps ↓Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
What does a high Mercury (Blood) mean?
High blood mercury in adults is nearly always dietary methylmercury from large predatory fish — tuna (especially bigeye and ahi), swordfish, king mackerel, shark, tilefish — with levels tracking the last month or two of intake. Occupational or dental amalgam exposure shows up mainly in urine, not blood. Above about 10 mcg/L warrants cutting high-mercury fish; above 50–100 needs medical evaluation. Mercury crosses the placenta, so pregnancy planning lowers the threshold for action.
Common causes of a high Mercury (Blood)
- Frequent consumption of large predatory fish (tuna, swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, marlin)
- Some traditional remedies and skin-lightening creams
- Occupational exposure to mercury vapor (dental, industrial) — mostly urinary
- Broken thermometers or fluorescent bulbs (acute, usually minor)
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- Often none
- Tingling around the mouth and in fingers and toes, tremor, poor coordination, vision or hearing changes at higher levels
- Fatigue, memory and mood changes
What clinicians usually check next
- Switch to low-mercury fish (salmon, sardines, shrimp, pollock, canned light tuna in moderation); retest in 3 months
- If pregnant or planning: follow FDA/EPA fish advice and retest
- Neurological review for symptoms; urine mercury if occupational exposure is possible
Seek care promptly if
- Blood mercury above ~100 mcg/L, or any level with tremor, gait problems or vision changes — prompt medical evaluation
How much tuna is too much?
For most adults, more than two or three servings a week of albacore or ahi tuna over months can push blood mercury above 10 mcg/L. Canned light (skipjack) tuna carries roughly a third the mercury.
Do dental fillings raise blood mercury?
Amalgam releases small amounts of mercury vapor that show up in urine more than blood, at levels well below those associated with harm. Blood mercury mainly reflects fish intake.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
How do you get a Mercury (Blood) test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Mercury (Blood) is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Metals Panel (Basic) | This marker only | $84.99 |
| Men's Superpowers Panel | 36 tests | $649.99 |
| Environmental Toxins Panel | 4 tests | $1049.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Mercury (Blood): which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $84.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $84.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Frequently asked
What does a high Mercury (Blood) mean?
High blood mercury in adults is nearly always dietary methylmercury from large predatory fish — tuna (especially bigeye and ahi), swordfish, king mackerel, shark, tilefish — with levels tracking the last month or two of intake. Occupational or dental amalgam exposure shows up mainly in urine, not blood. Above about 10 mcg/L warrants cutting high-mercury fish; above 50–100 needs medical evaluation. Mercury crosses the placenta, so pregnancy planning lowers the threshold for action.
How much tuna is too much?
For most adults, more than two or three servings a week of albacore or ahi tuna over months can push blood mercury above 10 mcg/L. Canned light (skipjack) tuna carries roughly a third the mercury.
Do dental fillings raise blood mercury?
Amalgam releases small amounts of mercury vapor that show up in urine more than blood, at levels well below those associated with harm. Blood mercury mainly reflects fish intake.
Do I need a doctor's order to test my mercury (blood)?
No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.
How long does it take to get Mercury (Blood) results?
Most Mercury (Blood) results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.
How much does a Mercury (Blood) test cost?
Our Heavy Metals Panel (Basic) starts at $84.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Do I need to fast before my Mercury (Blood) test?
Fasting is not required for the Mercury (Blood) test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.
Which lab will process my Mercury (Blood) test?
Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.
Ready to test your mercury (blood)?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $84.99.