I think I may have a problem with possible heavy metal exposure and would like to get your advice.
I have quite a few problems going on with various systems in my body and it looks very similar to what mercury poisoning can do or other heavy metal toxicity.
Here is a list of heath problems:
Low cholesterol
Low testosterone
Low adrenals
Low iron + iron saturation
Low levels of almost of basically all measurements related to red blood cells on CBC test, such as hemoglobin, hemocrit, MCH, etc
Chronically inflamed esophagus (esophagitis) and terrible heartburn
Other digestive issues such as frequent loose stools
Low thyroid
As you can see there are few things going on that look like more of a systemic thing that is affecting various organs and systems in my body.
My doctors are I are currently searching for ways to treat me and find out a possible cause or for these issues.
These are few reasons why I could be having these symptoms:
About 7 years ago, when I was 20 years old, I used a 1 bottle of the steroid deca in college. I also used various prohormones in Highschool and college, but not in excess or for an extended period of time
I had a drug problem related to cocaine for about 2 years in college
I took alot of Zantac (H2 blocker) in excess for about 2 years to help control my heartburn
Up until a few days ago, I thought that all of my health problems were the result of the 1 bottle of Deca I did in college and the prohormones I used. However, the more I look into it, I am not sure that this is only reason why I have so many abnormal lab results.
When you look at my symptoms, does it look like this could be the result possible heavy metal exposure as well?
When I look my overall picture, it seems pretty unlikely all of these things are related to my past. There are guys that do steroids for years and take high amounts (multiple bottles) and they really don’t have too many side effects. Or not anywhere near what I have.
I can understand how the steroid/prohormone use could mess with my testosterone, and that could lead to lowering my thyroid, and then leading to lowering my adrenals. But could it lead to lowering my cholesterol to very low level, and lowering red blood cell levels/iron, and causing problems in my digestive track.
It seems like there has got to be something else that is affecting these various systems/functions in my body and the only thing I can think right now is mercury poisoning or other heavy metal metal exposure.
If you can think of anything else, that could cause a widespread negative affect of various systems in my body, please let me know? I would be very interested in any suggestions that you have in regards to this issue, because my health is getting worse.
There are a few things that could have caused my heavy metal exposure if I do have it. They are:
Getting a tattoo when I was 18 that had red ink in it, among other colors. (Read somewhere that red ink has some kind of mercury in it)
Eating alot of fish and tuna sandwiches for the past 10-15 years. (I usually eat fish about 4-5 times a week)
I also tried using testosterone shots and gel a few months back to raise my T levels, but had an unusual reaction where I felt like I was going to have heart attack and had severe chest pain, felt very ill, etc. At the time, I thought it was because my thyroid/adrenals could not handle the test, but I just read something about how taking Test could raise the levels of mercury you have in your body and this can make you feel worse. So I am not sure.
In regards to testing, I just sumbitted in Nutreval test that looks for various heavy metals. However, from what I’ve read, its hard to even test for various metals because they usually end up in your soft tissue/organs and not in your blood, so urine/blood results can be misleading sometimes.
What other tests would you recommend?
I have looked at the Quest 24 urine heavy metal test, Genova heavy metal test, and read something about a dsma challenge test or something, but it seems a little risky. The dsma (sp) challege test looks it could provide the most accurate results, but have read a few negative things about it.
If you can think of anything else that I should look into or talk with my doctor about please let me know. I would really appreciate it. Thank you.