Testing for chronic mercury toxicity A very reliable means of determining chronic mercury toxicity is obtained through a thorough health history (as presented) of the chief complaints, family history, history of dental work, examination and history of any specific exposure. Testing by means of hair, urine and blood analysis is available to help confirm the physician's diagnosis. Of the three, urine testing is the most reliable. Urine Mercury Levels: Spectrochemical analysis offers speed and accuracy. This technique is capable of measuring concentrations as low as 3 micrograms of mercury per 100 ml of urine. The maximum clinical allowable concentration is 30 micrograms. Available from Doctor's Data (800) 323-2784 24 Hour Urinalysis: A total collection is required. Evaluation is made for all heavy metals which include aluminum, cadmium, lead, nickel, and mercury. Available from Doctor's Data (800) 323-2784 Reference Ranges for 24 Hr urinalysis:   Aluminum: 5 - 30 mcg/L   Cadmium: 0.0 - 3.0 ug/L   Lead: 4.0 mcg/24 HR   Mercury: < 20mcg/L in 24 HR Note: Mercury levels do not always show up in the blood and/or urine especially in the chronically ill, mercury-toxic patient. Mercury is deposited and locked within tisusses and is reflected in lower blood and urine readings. But this does not mean that the body is not burdened with mercury. Roger Williams' concept of biochemical individuality was established over thirty years ago. Some patients are very sensitive and react to even very low levels of mercury while others will exhibit no clinical symptoms even at elevated levels. Hair Analysis: A good screening test for determining excess heavy metals. Available from Doctor's Data (800) 323-2784 Electroencephalogram: Two reseachers, R.P. Brenner and R.D. Synder, published their findings (Arch Neurol, 37:282-84, 1980) "Late EEG Findings and Clinical Status after Organic mercury Poisoning." Their findings clearly demonstrate a particular EEC pattern that ultimately develops following poisoning with organic mercury. When evaluated by a neurologist, you should bring this information to the physician's attention. Mercury Vapor Analyzer: Sensitive instrumentation has been developed by the Arizona Instrument Corporation. With their instrument, a dentist can measure precisely the oral mercury vapor. Most dentists will not possess this equipment because of the $4000 to $7000 purchasecost. Mercury Patch Test: Dermatologic testing can be employed to evaluate a patient's sensitivity to mercury. A patch with either ammoniated mercury or mercurous chloride are commonly used. Some practitioners employ both since a patient may be sensitive to one but not the other and vice versa. The major down side to this approach is the severe adverse reaction that the sensitive patient may experience. Although this method is the best conventional medicine has to offer, vibrational medicine has the ability to test without any risk factors. Testing with Vibration Medicine: A patient's sensitivity can be determine with a sophisticated computerized system such as theVega, Interro or Biotron units. Such approaches are based on the original research of Rhinhard Voll, MD, who is considered the "Father of electrodermal testing." The concept is based on the fact that every substance in the universe has a vibrational signature, i.e., it vibrates at a specific frequency. By reading the acupuncture meridians, the presence of mercury in specific tissues and organs of the body can be detected by comparing the known vibratory frequency of mercury in the computer's data base with the energy pattern present in the patient's meridians, organ points, or nervous system; if a patient is sensitive to mercury, the energy readings will register high on the meter. This method is safer, efficient, and more cost effective than conventional testing and totally avoids the potential of any severe adverse reactions. White Blood Cell Viability Test: Since mercury is a poison interferring with enzyme function within cells and causing cell death, the patient's whole blood can be evaluated by exposing it to a standard concentration of mercury. In addition to being reasonably priced it provides testing without subjecting the patient to a health risk. It also is capable of determining a patient's senitivity to concentrations of mercury that are less than what is normally considered toxic. DMPS Challenge: Urine Mercury Test available from Doctor's Data (800) 323-2784 Since mercury is bound up in the tissues of the body, it can only be separated from its bonds by means of a chelating agent that has a stronger affinity for the poison than its original link. The best compound available is DMPS (Sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate). A physician administers the maximum dose (3mg/kilogram of body weight): 250 mg (one 5cc ampule) is the usual dose. The I.V. push is mixed with an equal amount of 1% preservatrive free procaine ( to reduce any discomfort) and administered slowly over 20 minutes. The DMPS must not be diluted into an infusion solution! The patient must collect their urine for the next 24 hours ( lab tech must agitate the urine before decanting a sample). If a high amount of mercury is detected in the urine, then the patient is burdened with the poison. This procedure can be used at 3 month intervals to determine if most of the mercury has been discharged. Warning: Patients who fall into the following categories must have i.v. vitamin C/mineral infusions prior to DMPS injections! having major symptoms of mercury toxicity; general poor health; suffer from chronic fatigue; toxic liver and/or kidneys; underactive thyroid; underactive adrenals; suffer from chemical and/or environmental sensitivies; sytemic Candida. You must have your immune system built-up with nutritional supplements and a minimum of six i.v. vitamin C (25 grams) with mineral infusions prior to the use of DMPS. Depending on the severity of your symptoms you may have to under go more than six vitamin C/mineral treatments. You must be evaluated by a physician who has clinical experience in this type of therapy. Failure to heed this advise may result in a severe adverse reaction and/or worsening of existing symptoms. These changes occur as a result of the rapid release of mercury with a DMPS injection. For those pstients who embrace the physiologic concept and are seeking a biologic approach to restorative dentistry which is scientifically validated, a list of laboratory ranges are provided for you and your physician to assess your condition. To answer the question of whether or not you are suffering from mercury toxicity, the physiologic ranges can be assessed objectively. The following chemical indicators are considered objective early warning signs of mercury toxicity: Laboratory Findings A white blood cell count above 7,500 or below 4,500. Hematocrit above 50 percent or below 40 percent (this is the percentage by volume of packed red blood cells in a sample of blood after it has been spun in a centrifuge). A lymphocyte count above 2,800 or below 1,800 (Iymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that function in the development of immunity). A blood protein level above 7.5 grams per 100 milliliters of serum (7.5 g % ml). A blood triglyceride level above 150 mg percent ml. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level above 18 or below 12 percent. A level of nickel in the hair above 1.5 parts per million (ppm). A hair mercury level above 5 ppm or below 0.4 ppm A hair aluminum level above 15 ppm. A hair manganese level below 0.3 ppm. Immune reactions to aluminum, nickel, mercury, copper, or gold. Oxyhemoglobin below 55 percent saturation (oxyhemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying element in the blood; saturation refers to the percentage  of oxygen in it). Carboxyhemoglobin above 2.5 percent saturation (carboxyhemoglobin is a compound formed in the blood when inhaled carbon monoxide combines with  hemoglobin). T-lymphocytes that have been inactivated by mercury. The Iymphocyte is the primary white blood cell involved in immune defense reactions in the body. Its chief function is to manufacture immunoglobulins, one of the major fighters in the immune system. When these cells are attacked, the count goes down to below 3,000 per cubic millimeter (the normal range is 2,200 to 2,400). DNA analysis (a measurement of the content of genetic material within a cell) that reveals mercury-induced malignancies. Within the lymphocyte is DNA, which contains your personal genetic code. Mercury can cause two DNA chains to combine, doubling the number of' chromosomes present (from forty-eight to ninety-six). By definition, this is malignancy. Other factors that indicate special scrutiny may be warranted are: The presence of' root canal-treated teeth; 75% have residual bacterial infections. Telltale combinations of symptoms. Example: a patient with multiple sclerosis and a low body temperature, or someone with chronic fatigue syndrome and brainfog and short-term memory loss. The presence of both amalgam and gold restorations. Magnitude of polarity of electrical current. Electricity indicates the speed of chemical reactions on the surface of a filling. The higher the magnitude, the greater the speed. Also, negative electric current is worse than positive. It fosters faster conversion of mercury into methlylmercury. This information is based on the research of Dr. Hal Huggins and appears in his book It's All in Your Head, the Link Between Mercury Amalgams and Illness.