What this test measures
Tin is poorly absorbed from food (tin-canned food, occasionally raising mild GI symptoms) and is not an essential element. Serum tin reflects exposure. Two very different toxicities: inorganic tin (from tin cans, industrial dust) — mild, GI dominant; organotin compounds (tributyltin, triphenyltin — used as wood preservatives, antifouling paints, fungicides) — neurotoxic, immunotoxic, severe.
Why it matters
Indian clinical use is almost exclusively for industrial exposure investigation. Marine paint workers, electronic-solder workers, and PVC stabiliser manufacturers can have raised serum tin. Acute organotin exposure causes cerebral oedema, seizures, peripheral neuropathy.
How to prepare
Trace-metal-free royal-blue-top tube. No fasting required. Disclose occupational exposure and consumption of acidic tin-canned foods.
Markers & reference ranges
Reference ranges below are typical adult values. Your lab's reported range may differ slightly based on the assay platform and patient demographics — always read your report against the range printed on it.
| Marker | Normal range | If low | If high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Tin (µg/L)[1][2] | < 5 | Undetectable — expected for the general population. | 5–20: above range — review occupational and dietary exposure. 20–100: significant exposure — clinical evaluation. > 100: high — likely industrial or organotin exposure; neurological evaluation; remove from exposure. |
Tin exposure bands
| Tin (µg/L) | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| < 5 | Background | No action |
| 5 – 20 | Above range | Review occupational / dietary |
| 20 – 100 | Significant | Clinical evaluation |
| > 100 | High | Neurological evaluation; remove from exposure |
Frequently asked questions
Are tin cans safe?
Modern tin cans are usually lacquer-lined; tin migration is minimal. Long-stored or damaged cans with acidic contents (tomato, citrus) can leach more — within safe limits for occasional consumption.
Why are organotins so much more toxic?
Organotin compounds (alkyl- or aryl-tins) cross cell membranes much more easily than inorganic tin and disrupt mitochondrial function and immunity. They are restricted globally as antifoulants and wood preservatives.
Does pewter cookware leach tin?
Modern pewter is mostly tin and copper; properly made cookware leaches very little. Antique pewter may contain lead and is a bigger concern than tin per se.
Is tin essential for humans?
No. Tin is not considered an essential trace element for humans.
Related Toxicology / Trace Elements tests
Tests commonly ordered alongside TIN, or that help interpret an unexpected result.
Sources & references
- ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Tin · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Mayo Clinic Labs — Tin, Serum · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- WHO — Tin in Food · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
Book with Zelnoo
Get your TIN test done at home — transparent prices, NABL-accredited labs.
Zelnoo lets you compare diagnostic test prices across NABL-accredited labs in Mumbai & Thane, book a free home phlebotomist visit, and receive digital reports in 24–48 hours into a consent-first report vault. No subscriptions, no membership fees — pay only for the test you book.
Book TIN now