Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOTC TherapiesPrescriptionsChelation TherapySurgery and ProceduresFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Lead Poisoning GuideWhat Is Lead Poisoning?
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Table of Contents
Home Remedies
OTC Therapies
Prescriptions
Chelation Therapy
Surgery and Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Lead Poisoning Guide
Lead poisoningtreatment involves limiting yourexposure to leadand reducing the amount of lead you may already have in your blood. If levels are high, changes in diet and various over-the-counter and prescription drugs may help minimize the harm. If the levels are high enough to pose serious harm, a process known as chelation therapy can help clear the metal from your body.
Acute lead contamination, such as the accidental swallowing of lead shot, may require surgery.
This article explains how lead poisoning is treated, including the home remedies, vitamins, prescription drugs, and surgeries that may be used. It also explains how chelation therapy works and at what level of exposure the procedure is recommended.
Medical Diagnosis and Managment Needed
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Lead exposure is more likely in certain homes and environments than in others. This includes older buildings that may have used lead paint or poorer communities that may not have replaced outdated lead water pipes. Certain industries also place employees at an increased risk of lead exposure.
Until you remove lead from these environments—or you remove yourself from these environments—you run the risk of lead poisoning.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do, even if the risk of lead toxicity is high.
Eliminating Sources of Lead
Because lead can accumulate in the body, the most important step in treatment is to prevent further exposure to lead.
You can do the same in and around your own home. If lead is found, you can either remove it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. You can also take simple precautions to reduce the risk of environmental exposure.
Here are some of the things you can do:
Lead Risk in Older HousesIf you are renovating a house built before 1978, you may need to vacate the property until all lead sources have been identified and removed. Unrenovated homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint and lead water pipes.
Lead Risk in Older Houses
If you are renovating a house built before 1978, you may need to vacate the property until all lead sources have been identified and removed. Unrenovated homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint and lead water pipes.
How Lead Poisoning Is Diagnosed
Dietary Strategies
Eating foods that are rich in iron help lower the accumulation of lead in the body.This is especially true in younger children who tend to absorb lead more quickly than older kids.
According to the National Institutes of Health, foods rich in iron include:
Research has also shown thatcalciumfound in dairy products and dark green vegetables can make it harder for lead to accumulate in bones. This is mainly because both lead and calcium are competing for the same spaces in bone tissues.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies
In the same way that diet can reduce the absorption and further accumulation of lead in the body, certain dietary supplements can aid in the effort.
Although research remains sparse, the vitamin or mineral supplements thought to reduce lead absorption or accumulation include:
The supplements thought to increase the excretion of lead from the body include:
Possible RisksVitamin or mineral supplements should not be regarded as a “treatment” for lead poisoning but rather as a way to prevent further accumulation. Overusing supplements can have serious consequences, includingvitamin toxicity.
Possible Risks
Vitamin or mineral supplements should not be regarded as a “treatment” for lead poisoning but rather as a way to prevent further accumulation. Overusing supplements can have serious consequences, includingvitamin toxicity.
Prescription drugs may be used to treat neurological symptoms of lead poisoning. They do not help clear lead from the body but instead help control symptoms of a condition known aslead encephalopathy.
Leadencephalopathyoccurs when lead penetrates themembrane surrounding the brainand starts breaking down tissues. This leads to brain swelling (cerebral edema). Symptoms include the loss of muscle control, an altered mental state,delirium, andseizures.
Prescription medications used to treat lead encephalopathy include:
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?
Oral chelation drugsare generally recommended for children with a blood level of 45 mcg/dL or higher and adults with high blood levels and symptoms of lead poisoning. There are two oral drugs commonly used:
Intravenous chelation drugsare generally reserved for adults with a blood level greater than 45 mcg/dL and children who cannot tolerate oral chelating agents. There are two drugs that can be used:
Common side effects include fever, headache, nausea, fatigue, rash, vision changes, andblood in the urine.
Possible ComplicationsRare but serious complications of chelation therapy include:Anemia(abnormally low red blood cells)Hypotension(abnormally low blood pressure)Hypocalcemia(abnormally low calcium levels)Heart failure(the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood)Kidney failure(the reduced ability of the kidneys to filter blood)Death
Possible Complications
Rare but serious complications of chelation therapy include:Anemia(abnormally low red blood cells)Hypotension(abnormally low blood pressure)Hypocalcemia(abnormally low calcium levels)Heart failure(the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood)Kidney failure(the reduced ability of the kidneys to filter blood)Death
Rare but serious complications of chelation therapy include:
Who Should Get Chelation Therapy?
In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that blood lead levels equal to or greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) were of concern in children.
In recent years, research has shown that lower levels of exposure can cause significant cognitive and behavioral problems, including lower intelligence quotient (IQ). As a result, the CDC revised its guidelines in 2021 so that the current level of concern in children is 3.5 mcg/dL.
Even so, this level of toxicity doesn’t mean that chelation therapy is needed. Chelation therapy is typically started at higher blood levels due to limited evidence that the procedure is beneficial at lower blood levels.
Indications for Chelation TherapyChelation therapy is generally pursued in children with blood lead levels of 45 mcg/dL or greater. Adults with high blood lead levels or symptoms of lead poisoning may also be treated. The decision to treat is an individual one based on a review of the potential benefits and risks.
Indications for Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy is generally pursued in children with blood lead levels of 45 mcg/dL or greater. Adults with high blood lead levels or symptoms of lead poisoning may also be treated. The decision to treat is an individual one based on a review of the potential benefits and risks.
What to Know About Chelation Therapy
Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures
Surgery and other specialist procedures may be used if a prominent lead source is found in the digestive tract or elsewhere in the body. This is referred to as acute lead contamination.
Examples of acute lead contamination include the accidental swallowing of lead shot or lead-glazed ceramics. Lead can also enter the body following a traumatic injury involving shrapnel or lead-containing bullets.
Some of the procedures used to treat acute lead contamination, either on their own or in combination, include:
Your Herbs and Spices May Contain Lead
Summary
The treatment of lead poisoning is initially focused on preventing further exposure to lead. This includes identifying and removing sources of lead from your home and environment. Diet and dietary supplements may aid in reducing lead absorption.
If lead levels in the blood are excessive, a procedure known as chelation therapy can help remove lead from the body. It involves either an oral or intravenous agent that binds to lead so that it can be cleared from the body in stool or urine.
Symptoms of lead encephalopathy may be treated with anticonvulsants, steroids, and a diuretic drug called Osmitrol (mannitol). In cases of acute contamination (such as the accidental ingestion of lead), whole bowel irrigation, endoscopy, or surgery may be used.
A Word From Verywell
It can be distressing to learn that the level of lead in your body is high, particularly given the potential long-term harm. Your first instinct may be to “get rid of it” and start chelation therapy, but this is not always the most appropriate response.
As beneficial as chelation therapy is, it does carry risks. To this end, speak with a specialist, such as a medical toxicologist, to get a better understanding of whether chelation therapy is safe and appropriate for you as an individual.
It depends on the severity of the lead poisoning and the type of chelating agent used.
With oral agents like Chemet (succimer), the standard course of treatment is 14 days with an additional course if needed.
If administered appropriately, chelation therapy is relatively safe, With that said, it is typically avoided in people withkidney failureorheart failuredue to the risk of kidney damage or hypocalcemia (a condition that can induce heart failure).The intravenous chelating agent dimercaprol cannot be used in people with a peanut allergy.
If administered appropriately, chelation therapy is relatively safe, With that said, it is typically avoided in people withkidney failureorheart failuredue to the risk of kidney damage or hypocalcemia (a condition that can induce heart failure).
The intravenous chelating agent dimercaprol cannot be used in people with a peanut allergy.
Chelation therapy may remove lead to the point where it is less likely to cause harm, but it may not remove it completely.
No, it is not possible to treat lead poisoning naturally. Chelation therapy is the only treatment that can remove lead from the body. With that said, removing yourself from sources of lead is equally important, although this can be difficult if you live in an older home with lead paint or lead pipes.
The long-term consequences of lead poisoning include high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and lung, stomach, or bladder cancer.It can also cause pregnancy complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McKay CA Jr.Role of chelation in the treatment of lead poisoning: discussion of the treatment of lead-exposed children trial (TLC).J Med Toxicol. 2013;9(4):339–43. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0341-8Dignam T, Kaufmann RB, LeStourgeon L, Brown MJ.Control of lead sources in the United States, 1970-2017: public health progress and current challenges to eliminating lead exposure.J Pub Health Mgmt Prac.2019;25(1):S13-22. doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000000889U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Protect your family from lead in your home (English).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Basic information about lead in drinking water.Zhai Q, Narbad A, Chen W.Dietary strategies for the treatment of cadmium and lead toxicity.Nutrients.2015 Jan;7(1):552–71. doi10.3390/nu7010552Hsieh NH, Chung SH, Chen SC, et al.Anemia risk in relation to lead exposure in lead-related manufacturing.BMC Public Health.2017;17:389. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4315-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors and children.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron: health professionals fact sheet.Rădulescu A, Lundgren S.A pharmacokinetic model of lead absorption and calcium competitive dynamics.Sci Rep.2019;9:14225. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50654-7Sachdeva C, Thakur K, Sharma A, Sharma KK.Lead: tiny but mighty poison.Indian J Clin Biochem.2018 Apr;33(2):132–46. doi:10.1007/s12291-017-0680-3Rao JVB, Vengamma B, Naveen T, Naveen V.Lead encephalopathy in adults.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2014 Apr;5(2):161-3. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.131665Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA.Lead toxicity: a review.Interdiscip Toxicol. 2015;8(2):55–64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009Schroder AP, Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM.Lead toxicity and chelation therapy.US Pharm. 2015;40(5):40-4.Wax PM.Current use of chelation in American health care.J Med Toxicol.2013 Dec;9(4):303–7. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2Mobarra N, Shanaki M, ,Ehteram H, et al.A review on iron chelators in treatment of iron overload syndromes.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res.2016 Oct 1;10(4):239–47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC updates blood lead reference value.Kim HC, Jang TW, Chae HJ, et al.Evaluation and management of lead exposure.Ann Occup Environ Med.2015;27:30. doi:10.1186/s40557-015-0085-9Albertson TE, Owen KP, Sutter ME, Chan AL.Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient.Int J Emerg Med.2011;4:65. doi:10.1186/1865-1380-4-65World Health Organization.Lead poisoning.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McKay CA Jr.Role of chelation in the treatment of lead poisoning: discussion of the treatment of lead-exposed children trial (TLC).J Med Toxicol. 2013;9(4):339–43. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0341-8Dignam T, Kaufmann RB, LeStourgeon L, Brown MJ.Control of lead sources in the United States, 1970-2017: public health progress and current challenges to eliminating lead exposure.J Pub Health Mgmt Prac.2019;25(1):S13-22. doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000000889U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Protect your family from lead in your home (English).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Basic information about lead in drinking water.Zhai Q, Narbad A, Chen W.Dietary strategies for the treatment of cadmium and lead toxicity.Nutrients.2015 Jan;7(1):552–71. doi10.3390/nu7010552Hsieh NH, Chung SH, Chen SC, et al.Anemia risk in relation to lead exposure in lead-related manufacturing.BMC Public Health.2017;17:389. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4315-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors and children.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron: health professionals fact sheet.Rădulescu A, Lundgren S.A pharmacokinetic model of lead absorption and calcium competitive dynamics.Sci Rep.2019;9:14225. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50654-7Sachdeva C, Thakur K, Sharma A, Sharma KK.Lead: tiny but mighty poison.Indian J Clin Biochem.2018 Apr;33(2):132–46. doi:10.1007/s12291-017-0680-3Rao JVB, Vengamma B, Naveen T, Naveen V.Lead encephalopathy in adults.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2014 Apr;5(2):161-3. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.131665Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA.Lead toxicity: a review.Interdiscip Toxicol. 2015;8(2):55–64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009Schroder AP, Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM.Lead toxicity and chelation therapy.US Pharm. 2015;40(5):40-4.Wax PM.Current use of chelation in American health care.J Med Toxicol.2013 Dec;9(4):303–7. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2Mobarra N, Shanaki M, ,Ehteram H, et al.A review on iron chelators in treatment of iron overload syndromes.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res.2016 Oct 1;10(4):239–47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC updates blood lead reference value.Kim HC, Jang TW, Chae HJ, et al.Evaluation and management of lead exposure.Ann Occup Environ Med.2015;27:30. doi:10.1186/s40557-015-0085-9Albertson TE, Owen KP, Sutter ME, Chan AL.Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient.Int J Emerg Med.2011;4:65. doi:10.1186/1865-1380-4-65World Health Organization.Lead poisoning.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
McKay CA Jr.Role of chelation in the treatment of lead poisoning: discussion of the treatment of lead-exposed children trial (TLC).J Med Toxicol. 2013;9(4):339–43. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0341-8Dignam T, Kaufmann RB, LeStourgeon L, Brown MJ.Control of lead sources in the United States, 1970-2017: public health progress and current challenges to eliminating lead exposure.J Pub Health Mgmt Prac.2019;25(1):S13-22. doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000000889U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Protect your family from lead in your home (English).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines.U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Basic information about lead in drinking water.Zhai Q, Narbad A, Chen W.Dietary strategies for the treatment of cadmium and lead toxicity.Nutrients.2015 Jan;7(1):552–71. doi10.3390/nu7010552Hsieh NH, Chung SH, Chen SC, et al.Anemia risk in relation to lead exposure in lead-related manufacturing.BMC Public Health.2017;17:389. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4315-7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors and children.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron: health professionals fact sheet.Rădulescu A, Lundgren S.A pharmacokinetic model of lead absorption and calcium competitive dynamics.Sci Rep.2019;9:14225. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50654-7Sachdeva C, Thakur K, Sharma A, Sharma KK.Lead: tiny but mighty poison.Indian J Clin Biochem.2018 Apr;33(2):132–46. doi:10.1007/s12291-017-0680-3Rao JVB, Vengamma B, Naveen T, Naveen V.Lead encephalopathy in adults.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2014 Apr;5(2):161-3. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.131665Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA.Lead toxicity: a review.Interdiscip Toxicol. 2015;8(2):55–64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009Schroder AP, Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM.Lead toxicity and chelation therapy.US Pharm. 2015;40(5):40-4.Wax PM.Current use of chelation in American health care.J Med Toxicol.2013 Dec;9(4):303–7. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2Mobarra N, Shanaki M, ,Ehteram H, et al.A review on iron chelators in treatment of iron overload syndromes.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res.2016 Oct 1;10(4):239–47.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC updates blood lead reference value.Kim HC, Jang TW, Chae HJ, et al.Evaluation and management of lead exposure.Ann Occup Environ Med.2015;27:30. doi:10.1186/s40557-015-0085-9Albertson TE, Owen KP, Sutter ME, Chan AL.Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient.Int J Emerg Med.2011;4:65. doi:10.1186/1865-1380-4-65World Health Organization.Lead poisoning.
McKay CA Jr.Role of chelation in the treatment of lead poisoning: discussion of the treatment of lead-exposed children trial (TLC).J Med Toxicol. 2013;9(4):339–43. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0341-8
Dignam T, Kaufmann RB, LeStourgeon L, Brown MJ.Control of lead sources in the United States, 1970-2017: public health progress and current challenges to eliminating lead exposure.J Pub Health Mgmt Prac.2019;25(1):S13-22. doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000000889
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Protect your family from lead in your home (English).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lead in foods, cosmetics, and medicines.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Basic information about lead in drinking water.
Zhai Q, Narbad A, Chen W.Dietary strategies for the treatment of cadmium and lead toxicity.Nutrients.2015 Jan;7(1):552–71. doi10.3390/nu7010552
Hsieh NH, Chung SH, Chen SC, et al.Anemia risk in relation to lead exposure in lead-related manufacturing.BMC Public Health.2017;17:389. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4315-7
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk factors and children.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Iron: health professionals fact sheet.
Rădulescu A, Lundgren S.A pharmacokinetic model of lead absorption and calcium competitive dynamics.Sci Rep.2019;9:14225. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-50654-7
Sachdeva C, Thakur K, Sharma A, Sharma KK.Lead: tiny but mighty poison.Indian J Clin Biochem.2018 Apr;33(2):132–46. doi:10.1007/s12291-017-0680-3
Rao JVB, Vengamma B, Naveen T, Naveen V.Lead encephalopathy in adults.J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2014 Apr;5(2):161-3. doi:10.4103/0976-3147.131665
Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA.Lead toxicity: a review.Interdiscip Toxicol. 2015;8(2):55–64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009
Schroder AP, Tilleman JA, DeSimone EM.Lead toxicity and chelation therapy.US Pharm. 2015;40(5):40-4.
Wax PM.Current use of chelation in American health care.J Med Toxicol.2013 Dec;9(4):303–7. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2
Mobarra N, Shanaki M, ,Ehteram H, et al.A review on iron chelators in treatment of iron overload syndromes.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res.2016 Oct 1;10(4):239–47.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC updates blood lead reference value.
Kim HC, Jang TW, Chae HJ, et al.Evaluation and management of lead exposure.Ann Occup Environ Med.2015;27:30. doi:10.1186/s40557-015-0085-9
Albertson TE, Owen KP, Sutter ME, Chan AL.Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient.Int J Emerg Med.2011;4:65. doi:10.1186/1865-1380-4-65
World Health Organization.Lead poisoning.
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