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Read MoreChelation Therapy: A Safe Treatment for Metal Poisoning, but Not for Other Conditions
Medically reviewed by Jerome Albert Ecker | MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke University - Durham, NC on December 1st, 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Three FDA-approved agents target different metals: EDTA for lead poisoning, DMSA for mercury and lead (especially in children), and deferoxamine for iron overload from conditions like thalassemia.
- Blood lead levels above 45 mcg/dL in adults or 5 mcg/dL in children typically warrant treatment, while mercury poisoning is confirmed through 24-hour urine collection showing levels above 20 mcg/L.
- High-risk occupations include welding, battery manufacturing, mining, and automotive repair—workers in these fields should undergo annual heavy metal screening.
- Treatment courses typically last 5 days with IV administration, followed by a 2-week break to allow redistribution of metals from tissues before repeating if necessary.
- The therapy can dangerously deplete essential minerals like zinc, calcium, and magnesium, requiring supplementation and weekly blood monitoring during treatment.
Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that uses special drugs to remove toxic metals like lead, mercury, iron, and arsenic from your body. These drugs bind to the metals in your blood, and then your body eliminates them through your urine. Chelation therapy is usually administered through an intravenous (IV) tube in your arm, but it's also available in pill form.
Before you receive chelation therapy, your doctor will perform a blood test to confirm that you have metal poisoning. Chelation therapy is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat metal poisoning, and it's not proven to be effective for other conditions.
Can Chelation Therapy Treat Autism, Alzheimer's, or Heart Disease?
Some alternative health care providers claim that chelation therapy can be used to treat conditions like autism, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease. However, there's little scientific evidence to support these claims.
Autism
The use of chelation therapy to treat autism is based on the false belief that the condition is caused by mercury in childhood vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that there's no evidence that chelation therapy is an effective treatment for autism, and it may even be dangerous. In fact, one child with autism died after receiving chelation therapy.
Alzheimer's Disease
Some researchers believe that a buildup of metals like copper, iron, and zinc in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. However, there's currently no evidence that chelation therapy is an effective treatment for this condition.
Heart Disease
The idea behind using chelation therapy to treat heart disease is that it can remove calcium and fatty deposits (plaques) from the arteries. A large study called TACT found that chelation therapy somewhat reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems in people with diabetes. However, the study didn't find enough evidence to prove that chelation therapy is an effective treatment for heart disease, and the FDA hasn't approved it for this purpose.
What Are the Side Effects of Chelation Therapy?
When used correctly and for the approved purpose of treating metal poisoning, chelation therapy is generally safe. The most common side effect is burning at the IV site. Other possible side effects include:
Fever
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Chelating drugs can also remove important metals that your body needs, like calcium, copper, and zinc, which can lead to deficiencies. Some people who have undergone chelation therapy have experienced low calcium levels in the blood and kidney damage.
What Should You Watch Out For?
It's important to be cautious of any online products or health care providers who claim that chelation therapy can treat conditions other than metal poisoning, such as Alzheimer's or heart disease. Chelating products are not approved for home use and can only be administered with a doctor's prescription.
If you're considering chelation therapy, talk to your doctor first. They can help you weigh the potential benefits and risks and determine if it's an appropriate treatment for your specific situation.
For more information about chelation therapy, visit:
The Bottom Line
This proven treatment works exclusively for documented heavy metal poisoning but requires careful medical oversight due to serious side effects including kidney damage and mineral depletion. Despite marketing claims, no scientific evidence supports its use for heart disease, autism, or "detoxification." If you suspect metal exposure or have unexplained neurological symptoms, Doctronic can help evaluate whether testing is appropriate.
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