How do I know if I have heavy metal poisoning and how is it treated?

Doctors can usually check for heavy metal poisoning with some very simple at home testing.

Those tests may include:

  • kidney function tests

  • liver function studies

  • urine analysis

  • hair analysis

  • fingernail analysis

  • electrocardiograms

  • x-rays

  • blood panels

Treatment:

The standard treatment for eliminating heavy metals in the body is chelation therapy This involves giving targeted medication through an IV that binds to the heavy metals in the blood and then eliminates the heavy metals through the urine.

The doctors and nurse practitioner will prescribe a customized IV chelation regimen based on the individual needs of each patient.

Left untreated, heavy metal poisoning can have lasting effects on your health. It’s important to work closely with our prescribers to ensure that you’re following the most effective treatment plan for your needs.

What is heavy metal toxicity?

Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth. They’re used in many modern-day applications such as agriculture, medicine, and industry.

Your body naturally contains some. Zinc, iron, and copper, for example, are necessary for regular body function, as long as they aren’t present in toxic amounts.

Heavy metal poisoning occurs when your body’s soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal. The most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts are:

  • mercury

  • lead

  • cadmium

  • arsenic

If you live on earth, you have definitely been exposed to high concentrations of these metals from food, air or water pollution, as well as medicine, food containers with improper coating, industrial exposure, or lead-based paint. The question isn’t whether or not exposure has happened, it is whether or not your blood has become toxic with these metals.

What are the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning?

The symptoms of heavy metal poisoning vary, depending on the type of metal involved.

General symptoms:

Common symptoms across several types of heavy metal poisoning include:

  • diarrhea

  • nausea

  • abdominal pain

  • vomiting

  • shortness of breath

  • tingling in your hands and feet

  • chills

  • weakness

mercury poisoning symptoms:

  • lack of coordination

  • muscle weakness

  • hearing and speech difficulties

  • nerve damage in your hands and face

  • vision changes

  • trouble walking

cadium poisoning symptoms:

  • fever

  • breathing problems

  • muscle pain

lead poisoning symptoms:

  • constipation

  • aggressive behavior

  • sleep problems

  • irritability

  • high blood pressure

  • loss of appetite

  • anemia

  • headaches

  • fatigue

  • memory loss

  • loss of developmental skills in children

ARSENIC POISONING SYMPTOMS:

  • nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

  • red or swollen skin

  • spots on the skin such as warts or lesions

  • unusual heart rhythm