title: Buyers beware: lead poisoning due to Ayurvedic medicine.
abstract: A 29-year-old man, who recently emigrated from India, presented with a 2-week history of abdominal pain, as well as nausea, constipation, and fatigue. He underwent removal of a parathyroid adenoma 6 weeks prior to admission and received a locally made Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for pain control; however, this information was not initially available. He was instructed to take approximately 15 g/day. Initial evaluation revealed a normocytic anemia, but other workup including imaging and endoscopy was unrevealing. Given his recent use of Ayurvedic medicines, we tested for lead poisoning and found a blood lead level of 72 mcg/dl. We sent his medicine for analysis and found it had a high lead concentration of 36,000 mcg/g, which is over 25,000 times the maximum daily dose. He improved with cessation of the medicine and treatment with succimer. Lead poisoning can present with a variety of nonspecific signs and symptoms, including abdominal pain and anemia. Ayurvedic medicines, as well as traditional medicines from other cultures, may be a source of lead or other heavy metals. It is essential for physicians to be aware of adverse effects of Ayurvedic medicines as they are easily available and increasing in popularity.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: J Matthew R
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Ronnie E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Mathews
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004113:Succimer