What it measures
Manganese is a trace element the body needs in small amounts. This test usually measures it in whole blood, cells included, because levels in red cells are much higher than in serum.
Why people test it
- Checked after work exposure to manganese, for example in welding or mining.
- Monitored in people on long-term feeding through a drip, which can supply too much or too little.
- Measured in people with severe liver disease, as the liver clears manganese.
Typical range
Ranges vary by lab, method, age and sex, and your report shows the lab's own range. Labs report manganese in nmol/L or µg/L, so check the unit before comparing results.
Finger-prick or vein?
Taken from a vein, and providers offer it only as a vein draw. Steel needles can add manganese to the sample, so labs use trace element tubes and sometimes discard the first few millilitres.