Heavy Metal Toxicity
Our chemical environment has long been known to be a threat
to our health, and the concept of poisoning has undergone
a substantial evolution. We are now only beginning to understand
the consequences of increased body lead burdens in the absence
of the anemia, colic, or clinically apparent encephalopathy.
It is because of these concerns that we now routinely perform
testing to evaluate for the potential for heavy metal toxicity.
This involves the use of a specific IV chelating drug followed
by a urine collection. This is considered the gold standard
in making a definitive diagnosis. If metal toxicity is identified,
a series of chelation treatments can be very effective in
removing these substances and subsequent urine collections
can be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Often within 6 to 12 months, patients can be shown to be
free of heavy metals and many of their chronic symptoms
have also resolved. |
