Mercury Toxicity
Jacob Farin, N.D.
What do the following patients have in common?
- A woman who had chronic weakness.
- A woman who had chronic headaches.
- A woman who suffered from chronic illnesses.
- A man who experienced chronic anxiety and depression.
They all tested positive for mercury toxicity. Mercury is a heavy metal that studies have shown to accumulate in the body. Its presence in the body interferes with the function of key chemical processes. It can interfere with the metabolism of hormones, proteins, minerals and sugars. It can also interfere with optimal brain function.
What are the symptoms of mercury toxicity?
Some of the symptoms of mercury toxicity are poor concentration, difficulty with memory, depression, insomnia, dizziness, chronic skin rashes, intestinal disorders, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Long term or severe incidences of toxicity may also lead to immune dysfunction, increased allergies, hormonal imbalances, and chronic infections. Studies also show a strong connection between autism in children and mercury toxicity.
Is mercury always the source of the symptoms mentioned above?
No. Those symptoms can certainly mimic and simultaneously occur with other conditions. For example, chronic fatigue may often be attributed to a low nutritional status. Mercury testing is considered when a protocol to correct low nutritional status produces minimal results. In this case, treating mercury toxicity removes the blocks that prevent other treatment plans from working.
How is mercury toxicity diagnosed?
At the Center, we use a special urine test that uses DMPS. DMPS, or di-mercapto-propane-succinate, is a sulfur compound that travels throughout the body and binds to heavy metals so that the metal can be excreted in the urine. A urine sample is then shipped to a lab for quantitative analysis.
What are the sources of mercury?
One of the common sources of mercury is a preservative called Thiomersal, once used in vaccines. Other common sources include deep sea fish, particularly swordfish and shark, insecticides, fluorescent lights, batteries, and dental amalgams.
Does that mean that contact with these items will always result in mercury toxicity?
Absolutely not. Studies show that the occurrence of symptoms is greatly influenced by diet, nutritional status and age. The healthier you are, the easier it will be for your body to deal with mercury effectively.
How is mercury toxicity treated?
At the Center, we use an oral compound called DMSA. Like DMPS, DMSA, or di-mercapto-succinic acid, is a sulfur compound that binds on to heavy metals and prepares them for urine excretion. In nearly all of the retesting, mercury levels have come down significantly after using DMSA for the prescribed amount of time. In one case, there was no evidence of mercury on the retest.
Besides DMSA, other treatment protocols are also included. Although the overall treatment may vary depending on the symptoms expressed and severity of exposure, DMSA remains the backbone in all cases.
If you have concerns about mercury toxicity and want to be tested for it, please call the Center for a consultation.