alternative lab tests

[firemedic313]

can anyone tell me if there is scientific validity to testing hair for heavy metals? also in testing saliva for cortisol ?

[allmymarbles]

Oral chelation cured me of mercury poisoning. That is, it must have, because all the symptoms, including hallucinations,  disappeared. I did not get retested.

[firemedic313]

i had very odd headaches, joint aches, flank discomfort, some anxiety/depression issues. They just seemed to pop up out of no where. After my family doctor refused to really do any testing beyond a regular blood test, i decided to look into things myself. I saw an MD who likes to treat from a naturopathic point of view, he did the first hair analysis last year which showed  a slightly toxic level of lead. I repeated the test again this year and it showed a dramatic increase in lead. Now, my symptoms haven't worsened, but they are no better either. I know the western approach to heavy metal toxicity is cut and dry, you either have an acute exposure with resulting toxicity, and only proven by blood test. Or, you don't have it at all. I guess i'm just looking for some affirmation that hair analysis for heavy metals, and the natural chelation methods used, are proven fact.Before i spend a lot of money,LOL!

[allmymarbles]

Important question. Did you ever have symptoms of lead poisoning? And why did you have the test taken in the first place? Something must have impelled you to do so. Also - often test samples are mixed up and you get someone else's results.

[allmymarbles]

A silly comment from me. Judge Judy is always calling for hair analyses in questions of drug use. And, as annoying as she is, she is no fool I think it is also used for radiation contamination. That would involve heavy metals, wouldn't it?

[firemedic313]

hi marbles, the reason i ask is because i to had a very high (toxic level)  of lead via hair sample. But when i had my MD do blood work to confirm it, the levels were perfectly normal. I am not sure if heavy metals can accumulate in tissue without wandering around in the blood stream. Thanks so much for responding.

[allmymarbles]

I took the saliva test and the results were accurate and confirmed my symptoms (high cortisol). I believe the hair test for metals is reliable but have not gone that route myself. I was tested for heavy metals based on one-shot oral chelation.  I think the lab was Doctor's Data. I had all the symptoms of mercury poisoning and the test confirmed this. It also showed a fairly high degree of lead poisoning which surprised me.