Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy metals are 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 even 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
  • Aluminium 

You might be 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.

Read on to learn more about heavy metal poisoning and whether OTC detox kits offer any benefits.

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

General symptoms

Common symptoms across several types of higher dose heavy metal poisoning include:

  • diarrhoea
  • nausea & brain fog
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • shortness of breath
  • tingling in your hands and feet
  • chills
  • weakness

Lower doses of heavy metal exposure ( more common ) from food, water & air present less noticeable symptoms or none at all, however this does not mean damage isn't occurring. 

Children with heavy metal poisoning may have unusually formed or weakened bones. Pregnant people may also have a miscarriage or deliver prematurely.

Metal-specific symptoms

Certain types of heavy metal poisoning can cause additional symptoms. Here’s a look at the symptoms linked to some of the most common types.

Mercury Poisoning symptoms:

  • lack of coordination
  • muscle weakness
  • hearing and speech difficulties
  • nerve damage in your hands and face
  • vision changes
  • trouble walking

Lead Poisoning symptoms:

  • constipation
  • aggressive behaviour
  • sleep problems
  • irritability
  • high blood pressure
  • loss of appetite
  • anaemia
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • memory loss
  • loss of developmental skills in children

Arsenic Poisoning symptoms:

  • nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea5
  • red or swollen skin
  • spots on your skin, such as warts or lesions
  • unusual heart rhythm
  • muscle cramps

Cadmium poisoning symptoms:

  • fever
  • breathing problems
  • muscle pain

Heavy metals can enter your body in different ways. You might consume them in the food you eat or absorb them through your skin, for example.

Here’s how you might be exposed to various heavy metals. Keep in mind that heavy metal poisoning occurs with heavy or frequent exposure, usually over a long period of time. Occasional exposure won’t lead to heavy metal poisoning.

Arsenic

  • working near a hazardous waste site
  • living in an area that has high levels in rocks, water, and soil
  • ingesting insecticides, pesticides, or herbicides
  • eating contaminated seafood or algae
  • drinking contaminated water

Cadmium

  • working in an industrial setting, especially one where ore is processed or smelted
  • welding on alloys that contain cadmium or using silver solders
  • inhaling cigarette smoke

Lead

  • living in a home with high levels of lead-based paint
  • doing industrial construction work, radiator repair, or smelter operations
  • being in firing ranges
  • using kohl cosmetics
  • applying progressive hair dyes, though the U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationTrusted Source (FDA) is working to change this
  • using foreign digestive remedies, calcium products, kohl, Surma, kajal, or progressive hair dyes

Mercury

  • mining, producing, or transporting mercury
  • mining and refining gold and silver ores
  • consuming contaminated fish or water
  • manufacturing mirrors, X-ray machines, incandescent lights, or vacuum pumps

While anyone can develop heavy metal poisoning, children are more vulnerable to it, particularly lead poisoning. Older homes sometimes contain lead paint. If a child touches a wall with lead paint before touching their mouth, for example, they may be exposed. This can lead to brain damage, since their brains are still developing.

Doctors can usually check for heavy metal poisoning with a simple blood test known as a heavy metals panel or heavy metal toxicity test.

To do the test, they’ll take a small blood sample and test it for signs of heavy metals. If you have symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, but your blood test only shows low levels, you doctor might do some additional testing.

These may include:

  • kidney function tests
  • liver function studies
  • urine analysis
  • hair analysis
  • fingernail analysis
  • electrocardiograms
  • X-rays

For mild cases of heavy metal poisoning, just eliminating your exposure to heavy metals can be enough to treat the condition. Depending on the underlying cause, this might mean taking some time away from work or changing your diet.

Your doctor can give you more specific recommendations on how to reduce your exposure.

For more severe cases, the standard treatment is chelation therapy. This involves giving medication, either through a pill or injection, that binds to the heavy metals in your body.

These medications are known as chelators. As they bind to the metals, chelators help to usher them out of your body as waste. 

Should I do a heavy metal detox?

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

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