Dear Jon Meyer:
I have noted your message to the Parkinson Network dealing with the quesion
of whether heavy metals can be removed from the body to successfully treat
poisoning . Certain of them most definetetly can, and their introduction for
e.g. reversal of lead accumulation can produce a cure, provided that the
treatment is prolonged and very careful. The treatment results in
mobilization of lead especially from bone. That produces a marked rise in
lead concentration in the circulation followed by redisposition in more
sensitive sites of accumulation, such as sudden bout of symptoms of the
affection of brain and kidney, in particular, severe intoxication and death.
Therefore treatment must be inaugurated quickly and with grear care
to prevent the lead from being reaccumulated. The drugs of choice are sodium
EDTA ethylenediamine-tetraacetate plus DIMERCAPROL., Other drugs of this
class may be safer and faster,. The choice is up to the physician, usually a
bone and blood specialist. The duration of the treatment may vary widely
from one parient to the other. It depends on the length of time and duration
of exposure, A large, rapid treatment may be fatal, because the lead in in
blood is rapidly mobilized and trapped by other tissues, as described above.
If the lead poisoning has already advanced, the drug treatment may
halt further deterioration, but so much lead needs to be mobilized that
sensitive tisssues are beyond the point of saving, especially dementia of
the brain.
I hope that is not with the patient described in your letter. With
best wishes,
Steven E. Mayer
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Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D.
