Dr. Teitelbaum on Chelation for CFS & FM

[Guest guest]

QUESTION

Chelation for CFS & Fibromyalgia? Is a high aluminum level significant?

BCK asks:

Dr. T,

Thanks for all the wonderful info on your site and your work in this area!

Thanks for taking my question!

I'm a 38-year old male and have experienced significant, ongoing fatigue the

last year or so. But the last few months have been much more significant.

I went to an internist and an endocrinologist. I have a family history of

thyroid disease and the endo's tests and evaluation showed I don't have

hypothyroidism yet. But I do have Hashimoto's due to an enlarged thyroid and

" TPO " levels. However, he found that my testosterone was low, and that LH and

FSH were low-normal, a likely contributor to the fatigue. So he ordered an MRI

of the pituitary. That came back fine (thank goodness!) so he started testing

and hormone replacement.

The internist ordered blood tests from Lab Corp of America on various things

that might be causing the fatigue. The results showed Aluminum levels of 17 ug

where 0-9 ug would be normal. He recommended 4 I.V. chelation treatments. I took

one before realizing how controversial it is so I have stopped.

Are you familiar with whether this is a significant level of the metal that

should be addressed? Or do you know who I could speak with/where I could go to

get an expert opinion on the significance of the level of aluminum?

Thank you again.

BCK

ANSWER

Dear BCK,

The hormonal findings you are describing are normal for CFS and fibromyalgia

because of the hypothalamic dysfunction. The testosterone replacement is a good

idea (aim for a testosterone level of about 700-800 on replacement) and I

suspect you also very much need thyroid replacement despite the " Normal " tests

(see Lab Testing is NOT Reliable! and Thyroid Hormone Deficiency — An Overview).

On the other hand, that your doctor ordered chelation and looked for toxicity

issues puts him ahead of most doctors.

Chelation is not controversial because of safety issues, but rather because of

the politics surrounding holistic medicine, and I would be very comfortable

using the chelation treatments as a patient (though I do not give them as a

physician because medical boards irrationally like to take away the licenses of

doctors who give it). It is controversial in the same way that it is

controversial to give vitamins — not because it is unreasonable, but because it

is holistic.

On the other hand, I am not convinced that you have aluminum toxicity and you

should repeat the test at another lab after you make the changes below.

Aluminum (one of the most common elements in the soil) is toxic because it is

oxidative (the opposite of antioxidants). I would be sure you are on a

supplement high in antioxidants (like the Energy Revitalization System vitamin

powder). The main sources of aluminum are:

1. Antacids like Maalox or Mylanta — If ingredients note aluminum, switch to a

different antacid without aluminum and see Eliminating Chronic Acid Reflux &

Indigestion, my article on treating indigestion naturally.

2. Underarm deodorants — switch to the aluminum free deodorant crystals in

health food stores (they have aluminum which is OK). They work well and are like

deodorant sticks (i.e., easy to use).

3. Switch from aluminum cookware to stainless steel.

Sounds like overall hormonal support (discussed in my book From Fatigued to

Fantastic!) is more what you need. Chelation is OK but simply may not be needed.

On the other hand, many excellent doctors use it in CFS with good results, so it

certainly is unlikely to do any harm.

L & B

Dr. T