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Your doctor can run a blood or urine test to check the mercury levels in your body. Make an appointment to see your general practitioner, and explain that you’d like them to perform a blood or urine test to check your mercury levels.  A mercury blood level test is more appropriate for checking someone after a suspected acute exposure to mercury, while a 24-hour urine mercury level test is better for checking someone for low-grade or long-term exposure to mercury, such as from mercury exposure on the job. Mercury serves no role in the human body, so technically there shouldn't be any mercury in your bloodstream. However, studies have shown that amounts of mercury greater than 85 micrograms per liter (µg/L) pose harm.  You can get home tests for mercury, but it is recommended that you undergo professional medical testing if you have serious concerns about poisoning. People who work in industrial settings or who have been tasked with cleaning up mercury spills have the highest risk of coming down with mercury poisoning. If you suspect that you may have been inhaling mercury and have noted some problematic symptoms, describe them to your doctor. Common symptoms that emerge shortly after contracting mercury poisoning include:  Vomiting and nausea Shaky hands Stomach cramps and diarrhea Tightness in your chest and coughing Chelation therapy is the primary form of medical treatment used to remove mercury (and other heavy metals) from the body. This may be indicated if your mercury level from a blood or 24-hour urine test is above 100 mcg/L or if you are showing symptoms of mercury poisoning. During chelation therapy, your doctor will give you drugs that bind to the mercury in your bloodstream and allow your body to pass the mercury out through urine.  Some of the medications are taken via oral capsule, and others are injected intravenously.  The most common chelation treatment is with a synthetic amino acid injection. Drugs that have been medically approved for use in chelation therapy in the U.S. include dimercaprol (BAL), succimer, deferoxamine, edetate calcium disodium, and penicillamine. If you have seriously high levels of mercury in your body, your doctor may advise that you receive a high dosage of chelating drugs. Some of these drugs can have serious and unpleasant side effects. If you’re going to be receiving a heavy dosage of a chelating drug, talk with your doctor and make sure you’re willing to experience the side effects.  Side effects of, for example, the drug deferoxamine include lung injuries or infections and very low blood pressure. If you’re concerned about the side effects, ask your doctor if they can prescribe you one of the milder chelating drugs or see if they can start you off on a lower dosage. Chelation therapy is the only medical method to counteract mercury poisoning. Although some of the side effects may seem severe, they are much better than living with mercury poisoning!
Make a doctor’s appointment to have your mercury levels tested. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of mercury poisoning. Undergo chelation therapy if your mercury levels are dangerously high. Discuss chelation’s side effects with your doctor before treatment.