Glyphosate is the world's most widely produced herbicide and is the primary toxic chemical in Monsanto's Roundup™. It is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is used in more than 700 different products from agriculture and forestry to home use. Glyphosate was introduced in the 1970s to kill weeds by targeting the enzymes that produce the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. Usage of glyphosate has since amplified, after the introduction of genetically modified (GMO) glyphosate-resistant crops.
Treatment of glyphosate toxicity should be centered on determining the route of introduction and avoiding future exposure. Glyphosate is readily metabolized in the body and does not seem to be stored long-term. Drinking a healthy amount of filtered water should assist the kidneys in passing the metabolized glyphosate out of the body.
Analytes measured:
Glyphosate
Sample required:
Urine - 10 mL of first morning urine before food and drink is preferred. The patient must discontinue soy proteins one week prior to collection of specimen (soy bean oil and soy lecithin are considered acceptable).
Average processing time:
21 days