lead update
A couple weeks ago I asked about the possibility of lead in my
turquoise-interior ceramic mug. Today I found a lead testing kit and read
the instructions before buying it. It said to wipe the surface with their
special cloth and send it to their lab for $10. It said to look for chalky
stuff. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. I’m having my quarterly blood test done
Monday and will request tomorrow that be added to the list. I know lead can
also damage kidneys - could that have cause my intense pain that sent me to
the ER and didn’t let me raise my legs far enough to remove my socks or
slacks so I had to sleep in my clothes 3-4 nights? What have I done to
myself?
Jan
April 7th, 2004 at 11:51 pm
hi Jan:
quit kicking yourself - how could you know?
from my good, old pharmacology book:
lead can be absorbed from the air, but the main port of entry is the GI tract
and that absorption varies depending on the kind of lead compound. Adults
absorb about 10% and kids closer to 50%.
Low dietary calcium, iron deficiency, and ingeston on an empty stomach have
all been associated with increased lead absorption.
Lead binds to erythrocytes and widely distributed initially to soft tissues
such as the bone marrow, brain, kidney, liver, muscle, and gonads; then to
the surface of bone, and later to bone matrix.
toxic effects: inhibits enzyme activity
interfers with the action of essential cations es pecially calcium, iron, and
zinc
alters structure of cell membranes and receptors.
Blood, neuro, kidnes, reproductive, GI and cardiovascular systems may be
affected.
blood - can induce anemia
nervous system -irritablity, fatigue, decreased libido, anorexia, sleep
disturbance, impaired visual-motor coordination, slowed reaction time,
headache, arthralgias, myalgias, tremors-less common. these can all vary
depending on exposure.
peripheral neuropathy with very high doses.
kidneys-
April 8th, 2004 at 7:58 am
Hi Jan:
quit kicking yourself, you couldn’t know.
Go to www.cdc.gov and research lead poisoning in children and adults.
many of your complaints are listed. Do have a serum lead level done just to
make sure that isn’t the cause….Joan:)
April 8th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
It’s my kidneys and gonads I’m especially concerned about.
Truly, since
my kidneys are already heading for tx, I hope it didn’t do more damage.
Thanks,
Jan