posted
Recent 6 hour toxic metal urine test from Doctor's Data indicates that I have very high levels of mercury and lead.
Mercury level is 13 - ref. range is 4 on Doctor's Data test and lead level is 19 - ref.range is 5.
However blood work from Bio Reference Labs shows lead in blood is 1.5 - ref. range 0-25 (this is normal) and mercury is 6.6 - ref. range is 5.
Intergrative LLMD would like me to begin DMSA 600 mg a day in 3 divided doses, 3 days on and 4 days off after I remove amalgams.
Exploring the possible causes of these high levels of toxic metals with my local board of health, I was referred to a toxicologist(MD) at the state poison control center. Upon mentioning that I had done the 6 hour urine test through Doctor's Data he told me that results from this lab may be suspect as they have been under scrutiny for possible fraud with regard to their testing methods and reporting.
He felt that my results from Bio Reference labs were more credible and based on their results he cautioned me against removing amalgams and taking DMSA. He also advised me to do a 24 hour unprovoked toxic metal urine test at Labcorp or Quest and compare the results.
After my conversation with him I searched for info on Doctor's Data and found the following articles which I found interesting:
Please let me know what you think about this information. I don't want to rush to judgement, but,on the other hand I don't want to be misled into following a medical protocol I may not need.
Are there other reputable companies that do urine toxic metal testing?
Thank you all for your help!
Posts: 574 | From New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote: Please let me know what you think about this information. I don't want to rush to judgement, but,on the other hand I don't want to be misled into following a medical protocol I may not need.
If you don't want to be misled read about mercury and its metabolism yourself.
quote: Exploring the possible causes of these high levels of toxic metals with my local board of health, I was referred to a toxicologist(MD) at the state poison control center. Upon mentioning that I had done the 6 hour urine test through Doctor's Data he told me that results from this lab may be suspect as they have been under scrutiny for possible fraud with regard to their testing methods and reporting.
He felt that my results from Bio Reference labs were more credible and based on their results he cautioned me against removing amalgams and taking DMSA. He also advised me to do a 24 hour unprovoked toxic metal urine test at Labcorp or Quest and compare the results.
I don't even know what you are doing on this board. Chronic Lyme does not exist, your LLMD is a quack (and you should sue him). Follow only advice from board certified and insurance recognized physicians!
quote: Intergrative LLMD would like me to begin DMSA 600 mg a day in 3 divided doses, 3 days on and 4 days off after I remove amalgams.
That sounds reasonable. Albeit I personally would do Andy Cutler's protocol one (same amount of DMSA/daily but you take 100 mg every 4 hours)
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Stephen Barrett really knows it all. The man is an expert in all modalities. lol. Kidding.
I honestly never know what to believe about so much I read here and through alternative docs. I feel like we need to tread very, very carefully.
I see little middle of the road on issues. A chelation doc sees the need for this is many people. A LLMD sees Lyme everywhere he/she looks. I'm sure Dr. Shoemaker sees mold toxicity in most. They can be blinded by their owbn specialties at times.
Sometimes, treatment is necessary. it goes back to what i say over and over and over and over: best to keep the diagnostician and product/service supplier separate in all ways.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
I think that I would do the test at Labcorp or Quest and see what the differences are.
Good luck to you..
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
Quackwatch is not a credible source. He is against all alternative modalities.
You do have to use your head and research just as seek says. Keep in mind that if you called the NIH or CDC about Lyme, they would not know anything or admit to the existence of chronic Lyme.
In the case of medicine, it seems the "quacks" more often than not have the truth. It's the establishment that is influenced by $$$ - Big pharma, insurance, litigation, etc.
I had a Doctor's Data test. I felt much better during/after chelation. I chelated 3 days per week and felt better the days I did than the days I didn't.
I had my amalgams out in 1991, chelated, detoxed, and went into remission for 12 years.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
massman
Unregistered
posted
"best to keep the diagnostician and product/service supplier separate in all ways."
seekhelp why oh why does this NOT apply to MDs + drugs ? BigPharma has kissed the butt of many MDs for years + years. Tons of drug samples, no charge for continuing ed, reps buying lunches + more for docs + staff etc.
I observed this occur on an ongoing basis at an MDs office that I was in a couple times a month. He was a bud of mine for years + I often did chiro adjusting to him + his staff in his office.
Many drug reps in there on a regular basis.
And you said "I see little middle of the road on issues. A chelation doc sees the need for this is many people. A LLMD sees Lyme everywhere he/she looks. I'm sure Dr. Shoemaker sees mold toxicity in most. They can be blinded by their owbn specialties at times."
That can be very true. How about finding an ethical doc who decides to NOT be blinded by his own speciality ? Too radical ?
IP: Logged |
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Massman, believe me, I completely understand the connection between mainstream docs and big pharma. Never once did I say the fault isn't worse there or equal to these other alternative docs. I have some background from a different perspective with drug companies. Money is no object for them. I wish the whole connection circle would be abolished, but it's a pipe dream and not how real business works.
If you know the name of this ethical doc, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I'm completely looking for someone like this who is brilliant, aggressive, listens to patients and reads test results, orders appropriate tests, doesn't marking up lab tests, recommends products based on research and lets patients buy them on their own via price shopping, and all the other qualities. I'm guessing their pricetag would be pretty high though since revenue would be from consult fees only. Double-edged sword, right?
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
Actually, you pretty much described my LLMD as an "ethical doc."
He's good at his job, tailors treatment according to a patient's needs, doesn't mark up test fees (I have always paid Igenex et al directly), and I bargain-hunt for the best prices on the supplements he recommends.
His fees are fairly low, given what I've heard others mention. My typical 30-minute appt is $220. (He is out-of-network so my insurance only reimburses about half of that.) That's all the money he gets from me, and he's been fabulous and caring.
So don't despair--good doctors are out there.
Posts: 398 | From By the Salish Sea | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
massman
Unregistered
posted
seekhelp - what if a doc only uses supps available to health pros ?
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
No Massman, not immoral. If the docs a big pusher of supplements and doesn't listen much or care about other aspects, then yes it's an issue. I think many member can get the idea of what I'm describing as an ideal doc. If the doc is intelligent, on top of their game, and has the best intentions,then all is great in my eyes.
If one could open up the books and see a doc's revenue made through consults, supplement sales, projects, and other key items, it would all be clearer. it's called transparency. We'd all love to see Wormser's books I bet. lol.
if one's going to recommend tons of supplements, how about a full or limited money-back guarantee if their theory is wrong given that the patient fronts 100% of the cost relative to mainstream treatment. I've had several experiences where it seemed the health provider forgot that I was paying every dollar for treatment not the insurer fronting some. YES, I start to get pretty questioning and expect even more then.
My LLMD recommends tons and tons of ideas. If I pursued them all, it would be tens of thousands and really they're no more than generic recommendations based on probably reading a few articles (same as any one us could do).
I feel after 1-2 visits, one gets a good idea what box a doc falls into.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
He also gets paid directly by Pharma and AMA and gets bonuses for presentations at their conferences to sway their doctors against any non-profit form of medicine. So bottom line is, quackwatch, is not really a quackwatch, it's a propaganda arm of our for profit health industry.
Aside from that the Doctor's Data results are what you want to go with. Blood levels of heavy metals don't really tell you anything unless you were just poisoned within the last couple days. Any knowledgeable doctor won't even bother testing your blood levels because the test is completely useless. Mainstream doctors however will only check that because they know it won't show anything and they can blow you off and still get paid or blame your issues on a far more profitable diagnosis.
And pick a dentist from www.iaomt.org to take your filings out. And honestly no one should be seeing a dentist that isn't associated with them because the rest are truly quacks. (unless there's another dental organization i'm not aware of)
Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
All "reputable" testing for chronic exposure to metals is done via urine or hair. Blood testing is inadequate for chronic metal intoxication. For acute poisoning, the story is different. Doctor's Data is a top notch laboratory.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Many a doctor, even the best, and dentists, even the best, and laboratory, the best we all depend upon, have been called on the carpet by these "local boards of health", etc. and had to spent years defending themselves and/or lost their licenses, ruining their careers and business forever.
It is an act that one should think through very, very carefully.
The damage is very difficult to undo.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you all for your responses. I wasn't sure what to think about the two articles I found regarding Doctor's Data. I feel reassured based on what your saying that the company is ok.
Posts: 574 | From New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
when i read a thread like this it is so good to see scott and six and gigi pop in...i wonder where everyone else has gone.
nice that some of us long timers have working brains(mine sure isn't but maybe it will come back with the buhner herbs-they are new for me)
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I'm completely looking for someone like this who is brilliant, aggressive, listens to patients and reads test results, orders appropriate tests, doesn't marking up lab tests, recommends products based on research and lets patients buy them on their own via price shopping, and all the other qualities. I'm guessing their pricetag would be pretty high though since revenue would be from consult fees only. Double-edged sword, right?
Printer-friendly view of this topic