Lead poisoning from an Ayurvedic herbal medicine in a patient with chronic kidney disease.
BACKGROUND
A 60-year-old man with a history of diabetes and hypertension was referred to a nephrology clinic for investigation of his elevated serum creatinine level.


METHODS
Physical examination; laboratory investigations, including measurement of whole-blood lead level, body lead burden and urine albumin:creatinine ratio; history of lead exposure and use of herbal medical products; and renal ultrasonography.


METHODS
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease that was probably worsened by consumption of lead in the form of an Ayurvedic herbal remedy.


RESULTS
Cessation of the herbal product, followed by lead-chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The patient's whole-body lead burden and blood lead level decreased to acceptable levels and his serum creatinine value was within the normal range at final follow-up.
Prakash
Suma
S
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. suma.prakash@utoronto.ca
Hernandez
German T
GT
Dujaili
Ihsan
I
Bhalla
Vivek
V
D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*
D028321:Plant Preparations