*To what extent is chelation therapy considered an 'alternative' treatment?

== It is quite mainstream if there has been acute exposure--chemical factory accident. It is more of an alternative for long term low level exposure from Amalgam fillings,etc.

*Why is it that 'conventional' GPs have never looked for lead poisoning - and that it took an 'integrative' GP to find it?

== Tell me about it!!! My 6 doctors over 15 yrs never mentioned it even though I had bone density problems and broke a leg without contact! Thankfully after 1.5 yrs on Cutler's chelation protocol my bone density improved 8%. One of my hair tests while chelating reported lead in the red.

*Are there options other than chelation therapy?

== You could give the body more of the vitamins, minerals, etc that help to repair the damage. It is usually not adequate but can buy you some time. My parents who are in their mid-late 70's have decided to go that route even though they have seen my impressive gains.

*What are the different ways of receiving chelation therapy - eg at a GP? in hospital? At some kind of toxicologist?

== Lots of options. Remember to do what works well for YOU, not what is best for the doctor's vacation fund.

*What are the costs involved in chelation therapy?

== IV is rather pricey, oral DMPS is most expensive of the oral chelators but it is worth it for those with certain symptoms. DMSA + ALA + supporting supplements is not expensive for people who have a job.

== I most strongly recommend that you check out this discussion between Andy Cutler, PhD chemistry and Dr Dan Pompa.
http://www.healthcentersofthefuture.com/DrCutler/

Both had heavy metal related illnesses. They touch on the issue of lead but it is mostly on mercury. I strongly suggest that you account for the presence of mercury. Not doing so is Russian roulette. You could end up with more mercury in your brain.

== I also strongly recommend that you think carefully about the use of cilantro. Most of the worst chelation stories I've heard have been from those who have used it. These are just two stories from the yahoo chelation group members.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/frequent-dose-chelation/message/64260

http://whatidontknow.net/blog/my-big-resettlement/


== Remember the "natural" chelators were grown in the environment where their heavy metal "magnets" (thiol groups)could have absorbed HMs from the environment. this is one area where I want to take something made in a well respected lab.

== You might also check out the large yahoo chelation groups Adult metal chelation and the active Frequent dose chelation.

== Joe

I have been suffering from chronic lead poisoning for 5-6 years now. I only discovered it last year (through blood and urine tests), when everything else failed and doctors could provide no explanation for my symptoms.

As far as I know, the medical establishment will recommend chelation therapy for severe and acute lead poisoning cases, but they tend to overlook the chronic ones. It depends.

If by chelation therapy you mean the use of EDTA, DMSA and the like, yes there are other much safer options. I am not a doctor and do not offer medical advice, but this is the protocol I've been using for the last year, and I'm starting to feel better:

1. clay baths and clay taken orally (the funny thing is that after the clay baths, there was a thing like gray, sparkling sand left at the bottom of the tub).
2. Apple pectin
3. Kefir in large amounts (1 lt/day, on for 20 days, off for 10)

Lead is excreted mainly through the feces, therefore the digestive track and the colon must be fully supported throughout the therapy, hence the pectin and the clay (which are heavy metals magnets) and the kefir, which might have chelating properties.

4. A product called humifulvate, which is purported to be totally safe.
5. Large amounts of Vitamin C
6. Milk thistle to support the liver and the kidneys. Absolutely essential.
7. Chlorophyll-rich foods (or liquid chlorophyll or a product called Green Vibrance).
8. Omega-3 (I used Chia, because fish oils are more expensive and contaminated with heavy metals )
9. Cilantro has been found to chelate and protect the body from heavy metals, even though the exact mechanism is not known.
10. Lecithin to support the brain and the nervous system.

Last, but not least, what really made a difference for me was fasting (water, dry and juice fasting). Again, I do not recommend it without medical supervision.

Again, the foregoing is not meant as medical advice. I'm only sharing it, because it might be useful to some people. Consult your doctor before using this information in any way.