There are several treatment centers for fibromyalgia and CFS that are paying quite a bit of attention to the issue of heavy metals in our bodies, and are treating their patients for it. This includes the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers that are springing up all over the U.S. (closest one to us is in King of Prussia, PA) and Dr. Paul Cheyney, noted CFS expert.

[Note: Several of our group members are also concerned about heavy metals in their pets. Click here for more information about what one veterinarian is doing in this regard.]

How do we get heavy metals in our body?

Unfortunately, some of our food supply may be contaminated with heavy metals. The Environmental Protection Agency has found certain kinds of seafood to have unsafe levels of mercury. In addition, the US Department of Agriculture has done testing for arsenic levels in chicken, as some chickens are fed arsenic to kill parasites. (An analysis of this issue can be found here.) This article about arsenic in chicken provides even more details.

Well water can also contain unsafe quantities of heavy metals, as can public water if, for example, it flows through lead pipes in your home. In addition arsenic can also be found in certain treated lumber. (See this article from the EPA for more information on heavy metals in treated lumber.)

How do you know if you have heavy metal poisoning?

To determine if you have heavy metals in your body, there are blood tests that can be done. Several of our members have tested positively for mercury, as well as arsenic and lead. The Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers do this testing.

Other people use hair analysis to test for heavy metals in your body. You can have a hair analysis done in labs such as the Analytical Research Labs (ARL) in Phoenix, AZ . [Note: Hair analysis as a means of testing for heavy metals is more controversial than blood tests. Click here to read an article from WebMD about the pros and cons of hair analysis.]

What options are available if you test positive for heavy metals?

There are several approaches to heavy metal chelation. The F & F centers use DMSA. Others use EDTA, chlorella and glutathione IV’s. The F&F centers also use glutathione IV’s.

There is also another approach that some of our group members are trying called NCD (Natural Cellular Defense). An article about this can be found at http://www.newstarget.com/015232.html.