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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
DMSA Challenge
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
DMSA Challenge
by jason_m, Jan 27, 2006 12:00AM
Hello,
I've recently been experiencing severe mental fog. I've also been diagnosed as having schizophrenia, due to persistent auditory hallucinations that are now under control through medication.
I've been working with a doctor who also practices natural medicine. I told her about the mental fog that I've been experiencing and she thought that my lack of mental clarity (i.e. confusion) could be a result of heavy metals (although it seems equally likely to me that schizophrenia itself could be the cause). Therefore, she gave me a DMSA challenge test. The challenge test came back showing that I have high lead levels. I told my general practitioner, and he checked the amount of lead in my blood. This test came back negative.
Now, I'm questioning the results of the DMSA test. This is not only because I do not have high lead levels in my blood, but because I don't have any of the purely physical manifestations of lead poisoning (i.e. stomach pain, a blue line on my gums, etc.).
I questioned the original doctor, and she says that the DMSA challenge test is newer technology, and therefore, more reliable.
However, I'm still a little bit skeptical because:
1) the pharmacy that sells the DMSA challenge test is also likely the same pharmacy that will sell whatever treatment is necessary. So, in my mind, it seems possible that they may be over-vigilant in diagnosing metal poisoning or may use tests which over-predict it in order to sell their products.
and 2) DMSA challenge tests are not generally accepted by the medical community.
So, my question to you is whether the DMSA challenge test is accurate in detecting lead poisoning. The same question must be asked about testing blood lead levels, as there has to be some explanation for the discrepancy. Finally, do you think I should ask for a hair analysis as the decisive factor for treatment, and would it be accurate?
Thank you,
Jason.
I've recently been experiencing severe mental fog. I've also been diagnosed as having schizophrenia, due to persistent auditory hallucinations that are now under control through medication.
I've been working with a doctor who also practices natural medicine. I told her about the mental fog that I've been experiencing and she thought that my lack of mental clarity (i.e. confusion) could be a result of heavy metals (although it seems equally likely to me that schizophrenia itself could be the cause). Therefore, she gave me a DMSA challenge test. The challenge test came back showing that I have high lead levels. I told my general practitioner, and he checked the amount of lead in my blood. This test came back negative.
Now, I'm questioning the results of the DMSA test. This is not only because I do not have high lead levels in my blood, but because I don't have any of the purely physical manifestations of lead poisoning (i.e. stomach pain, a blue line on my gums, etc.).
I questioned the original doctor, and she says that the DMSA challenge test is newer technology, and therefore, more reliable.
However, I'm still a little bit skeptical because:
1) the pharmacy that sells the DMSA challenge test is also likely the same pharmacy that will sell whatever treatment is necessary. So, in my mind, it seems possible that they may be over-vigilant in diagnosing metal poisoning or may use tests which over-predict it in order to sell their products.
and 2) DMSA challenge tests are not generally accepted by the medical community.
So, my question to you is whether the DMSA challenge test is accurate in detecting lead poisoning. The same question must be asked about testing blood lead levels, as there has to be some explanation for the discrepancy. Finally, do you think I should ask for a hair analysis as the decisive factor for treatment, and would it be accurate?
Thank you,
Jason.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 29, 2006 12:00AM
, Jan 29, 2006 12:00AM
Jason, you are right when you say the medical community does not accept the dmsa and heavy metal posioning theories. I affirm that position, and don't think the hair analysis adds any useful information. Your doctor's lead test seems to be the most reliable information. That said, maybe your psychopharmacologist knows more about it than I do, but what I have stated is the most commonly held view.
