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Chelation
Chelation Therapy involves the use of chemical compounds injected into the blood stream, muscle or taken orally to bind to metals present in toxic concentrations so they can be excreted (usually in urine) from the body. Heavy metal toxicity can cause a wide range of problems including severe injury to the body organs and the brain.
The practice of chelation is medically indicated when toxic levels of heavy metals such as iron, arsenic, lead, and mercury are present. While iron is a vital metal, in the correct amounts, the other metals are not required by the body.
- Lead toxicity most commonly occurs in young children exposed to lead paint dust or chips in older homes. Lead screening for children has now become a standard part of a doctor's visit for children in many states. Occupational exposure (soldering, welders, smelters, battery reclamation) also presents a risk.
- Mercury toxicity almost always occurs with high risk occupational exposures including dental workers, manufacturers of batteries/ thermometers, tannery work/taxidermy, and contaminated seafood.
- Arsenic poisoning usually occurs from exposure to insecticides, herbicides, rodent poisons, veterinary parasitic medications, or intentional poisoning.
Other heavy metals, mentioned only in passing because toxic exposure is extremely uncommon, include: cadmium, manganese, aluminum, cobalt, zinc, nickel, copper and magnesium.
Common chelating agents include:
- Desfuroxamine Mesylate: is used for iron toxicity, intravenous administration is the preferred method.
- Dimercaprol (BAL): is the preferred agent for arsenic and mercury toxicity. It is given intramuscularly as a shot.
- DMSA: is chemically similar to Dimercaprol, but differs in that it can be given orally for lead and arsenic poisoning.
- D-penicillamine: is an oral chelating agent used for lead, arsenic, or mercury poisoning. It is much less expensive but not as effective as DMSA.
- Calcium Disodium Versante (CaNa2-EDTA): can be used in combination with BAL in lead toxicity. It is never used alone in treating lead toxicity because it chelates heavy metals found outside of cells and not within them.
Diagnosis of heavy metal toxicity is serious and must be made by a physician based on clinical symptoms in conjunction with laboratory testing. Chelating agents are potentially toxic and should not be used unless absolutely indicated. Central Drugs offers both oral and intravenous chelation agents. All products have been produced and tested to the highest possible standards.
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