Lead is a naturally occurring metal with no benefit to the body.
At very high levels, it can be fatal.
Lead poisoning can be diagnosed with blood and imaging tests.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Thesymptoms of lead poisoningare often subtle and difficult to spot.
In some people, there may be no symptoms.
Permanent intellectual disability can sometimes occur.
© Verywell, 2018
Despite this, lead poisoning in the U.S. still occurs.
Verywell, 2018
Diagnosis
Lead toxicity can bediagnosedthrough a variety of lab and imaging tests.
In an ideal situation, there should be no lead, but even low levels may be considered acceptable.
The blood lead concentration is measured in terms micrograms (g) per deciliter (dL) of blood.
Treatment
This main form oftreatment for lead poisoningis calledchelation therapy.
Chelation therapy is indicated in people with severe lead poisoning or signs of encephalopathy.
It may be considered for anyone whose BLL is above 45 g/dL.
Chelation therapy has less value in chronic cases below this value.
Therapy may be delivered either orally or intravenously.
In the meantime, to further reduce your family’s risk:
