DMSA CHALLENGE PROTOCOL
DMSA Challenge: Total Element Clearance Profileupdated 6/17/2013
4 hour urine collection
Follow instructions in Kit for 4 hour urine collection.
However, the instructions in the kit do not explain
that I ask you to chelate with DMSA. So these instructions are to help understand how to do the test with the DMSA.
Single Dosing for 4 Hour Urine Collection
(Child or Adult)
Name: _________________________________________________ Date _____________________
Weight in Kg: ______________ Dose (20-30mg/kg) ______________(Dose not to exceed 2000mg)
Prep can be as easy!
1. NO FISH OR SEAFOOD: DO NOT eat seafood for three days prior to testing.
2. NO SUPPLEMENTS: Take no supplements with minerals or antioxidants for three days prior to testing.
3. NO COFFEE on day of test, prior to or during collection period.
4. EMPTY STOMACH: Taking it on an empty stomach (empty by 2 hours). This helps ensure the quickest
and highest blood and urine levels of the DMSA.
A light snack (No Fish) may be eaten 2 hours after taking the DMSA dose. PLEASE, however, do not skip
breakfast on the day of the test. (For example, if you want to do the test in the morning, awaken, have light
breakfast (NO COFFEE), and wait two hours, then ok to start test process). Test can be done any time of day
as long as you are taking the DMSA on an empty stomach and then wait 2 hours to eat anything.
5. EMPTY BLADDER: Before taking the DMSA make sure you or the child urinates.
6. WATER INTAKE: take the DMSA dose with one glass of water (8 oz). During the 4 hours, be sure
to drink water, but ONLY 6-10 ounces of water. AFTER the 4 hour collection period, after the urine
sample(s) have been taken, you should drink 48-64 ounces of water this day to flush the kidneys.
Collect urine in the provided container only
To do the test, after your “prep” take DMSA ____________one time on an EMPTY stomach and
empty bladder. (To go a little easier, you can take half the dose, and then 15 minutes later take the
rest of the DMSA dose)
After you have emptied your bladder, and your stomach is empty, and you have not eaten
seafood or supplements for 3 days, then take the prescribed dose (as noted above) of DMSA
one time.
After taking the DMSA, start the “clock” for a four-hour urine collection. Please collect all the
urine you void for 4 hours. Once the urine collection is completed refrigerate the urine in the
test tubes as instructed and send it to the lab the same or next day.
Time dosing of DMSA and urine collection so you can ship back to the lab Monday through Thursday only. Prepare the
urine sample for the lab according to the instructions provided in the lab kit. If you have questions, you may call me; but
to avoid delay of my voicemail, if applicable, call the genova lab’s customer support- 800-522-4762 x 727
Extra Notes:
To establish a base line, it is necessary that we test your blood count, liver and kidney function before DMSA use for
treatment. Please contact your doctor (or Life Extension) and have the blood work performed.
DO NOT BEGIN the use of DMSA for treatment until the tests have been done and the liver enzymes, kidney function and
complete blood count are normal. You can use your discretion for challenge testing, but for treatment use of DMSA,
please be sure Dr. Kim has recent (a reading in the past 3-4 months) lab work in your chart.
Common Side Effects – This challenge dose may produce some nausea, loose stools or diarrhea, decrease or loss of
appetite, gas, fatigue or skin rash. Report any persistent uncomfortable side effects to Dr. Furtado.
DMSA has a sulfur smell to it. If the patient is a child and they cannot swallow capsules, the DMSA may be put into any
food you think your child might eat. It may be best to put it into orange juice or some sweet food (applesauce) or
beverage.