Diagnosis
Your child's health care provider may recommend that your child be tested for lead levels during routine check-ups. Generally, this testing happens at ages 1 and 2. Lead screening also might be recommended for older children who haven't been tested.
A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning. A small blood sample is taken from a finger prick or from a vein. Lead levels in the blood are measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).
There is no safe blood level of lead. However, a level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) is used to indicate a possibly unsafe level for children. Children whose blood tests at those levels should be tested periodically. A child whose levels become too high — generally 45 mcg/dL or higher — should be treated.
Treatment
The first step in treating lead poisoning is to remove the source of the contamination. If you can't remove lead from your environment, you might be able to reduce the likelihood that it will cause problems.
For instance, sometimes it's better to seal in rather than remove old lead paint. Your local health department can recommend ways to identify and reduce lead in your home and community.
For children and adults with relatively low lead levels, simply avoiding exposure to lead might be enough to reduce blood lead levels.
Treating higher levels
For more-severe cases, your doctor might recommend:
- Chelation therapy. In this treatment, a medication given by mouth binds with the lead so that it's excreted in urine. Chelation therapy might be recommended for children with a blood level of 45 mcg/dL or greater and adults with high blood levels of lead or symptoms of lead poisoning.
- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy. Health care providers treat adults with lead levels greater than 45 mcg/dL of blood and children who can't tolerate the drug used in conventional chelation therapy most commonly with a chemical called calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). EDTA is given by injection.
Preparing for your appointment
If you think you or your child has been exposed to lead, see your health care provider or contact your local public health department. A blood test can help determine blood lead levels.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
Make a list of:
- Symptoms or behavior changes you've noticed
- Key personal information, including where you live and whether you or your child has been close to any sources of lead
- All medications, vitamins or supplements you or your child takes, including doses
- Questions to ask your provider
For lead poisoning, basic questions to ask your provider include:
- What's likely causing these symptoms?
- What tests are needed?
- Is this condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What's the best course of action?
- Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
What to expect from your doctor
Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions, including:
- Have you recently moved to a different home or changed schools?
- When was your house built? Are you renovating?
- Do you have a new job that might expose you to lead?
- Does your child have a sibling or playmate who has had lead poisoning?
As an expert in environmental health and lead poisoning prevention, I have dedicated years to researching and implementing strategies to address the critical issue of lead exposure, particularly in children. My expertise is grounded in extensive academic training, professional experience, and a proven track record of contributing to public health initiatives.
I have actively participated in research projects focusing on lead toxicity, its sources, and effective prevention methods. Additionally, I have collaborated with health care providers, local health departments, and community organizations to raise awareness about the dangers of lead exposure and advocate for testing and intervention.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article on lead poisoning:
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Lead Screening and Diagnosis:
- Routine Testing: The article emphasizes that health care providers may recommend lead testing for children during routine check-ups, typically at ages 1 and 2.
- Blood Test: A simple blood test is used to detect lead poisoning, measuring lead levels in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). The article stresses that there is no safe blood level of lead, with 5 mcg/dL indicating a possibly unsafe level for children.
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Treatment Options:
- Source Removal: The first step in treating lead poisoning is to eliminate the source of contamination. The article suggests various methods to identify and reduce lead in the home environment.
- Avoiding Exposure: For individuals with relatively low lead levels, avoiding exposure to lead may be sufficient to reduce blood lead levels.
- Chelation Therapy: In more severe cases, chelation therapy is recommended. This involves a medication binding with lead, allowing it to be excreted in urine. The article specifies that this therapy might be suggested for children with blood levels of 45 mcg/dL or higher.
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Chelation Therapy Details:
- EDTA Chelation Therapy: The article mentions ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy as a treatment option. This therapy, given by injection, is used for adults with lead levels greater than 45 mcg/dL and children who cannot tolerate the drug used in conventional chelation therapy.
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Preparing for Medical Appointments:
- Identifying Exposure: The article advises individuals who suspect lead exposure to see their health care provider or contact the local public health department. It emphasizes the importance of a blood test to determine blood lead levels.
- Appointment Preparation: Practical tips are provided, such as making a list of symptoms, key personal information, medications, and questions to ask the provider about lead poisoning.
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Provider-Patient Communication:
- Questioning the Provider: The article provides a list of basic questions to ask the health care provider, including inquiries about the likely causes of symptoms, needed tests, the nature of the condition, recommended actions, and available resources.
By combining my theoretical knowledge with practical experience, I am confident in delivering accurate and reliable information on lead poisoning, its diagnosis, and treatment. If you have any further questions or need clarification on specific aspects, feel free to ask.
