title: Dimercaptosuccinic acid loading test for assessing mercury burden in healthy individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral chelation tests have been used to try to define mercury toxicity in individuals with dental amalgams, who are suffering from a variety of non-specific symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported healthy individuals volunteered to undergo an oral chelation test using dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Urinary mercury : creatinine ratios were measured pre-dose and 3 h post-dose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urinary mercury : creatinine ratios were similar to levels previously reported in individuals with symptoms that could have been attributed to mercury toxicity. One volunteer suffered a serious reaction to DMSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oral chelation test using DMSA may lead to misleading diagnostic advice regarding potential mercury toxicity and can be associated with serious side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast BT9 7AD, Northern Ireland, UK. pooler.archbold@bll.n-i.nhs.uk
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Archbold
authors.forename: Roisin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: McGuckin
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000652:urine*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D004113:Succimer
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003404:Creatinine; D004113:Succimer; D008628:Mercury