title: Evaluation of blood lead level in methamphetamine users in Tehran.
abstract: Given the increasing number of lead poisoning in opioids users and since no study has been conducted so far to review lead poisoning in methamphetamine (crystal) users, this study aimed to investigate blood lead level in methamphetamine addicts.
  
  
  
  This study was conducted on 20 patients with methamphetamine poisoning and their blood lead level was measured. The subjects were selected from among patients with a history of continuous use of methamphetamine, without a history of using opiates in the past 6 months confirmed by a negative urine tests, and without a history of heavy metal poisoning.
  
  
  
  Of all, 18 patients were male and the mean age was 32 ± 10 years; 17 patients were abusing the drug via inhalation and three persons via oral administration. The mean blood lead level was 2.3 ± 1.1 μg/dL and poisoning was not observed in any of the cases. Blood lead level was not associated with age, sex, dosage, and route of administration.
  
  
  
  Although blood lead level was not at poisoning level in people who only used methamphetamine in Iran, due to the simultaneous use of other substances and because of non-specific symptoms, lead poisoning must be suspected in all cases of substances poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Makhsoos St, South Karegar Ave, Tehran, Iran. mstzbmd@sbmu.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mostafazadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Toxicology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shadnia
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Makhsoos St, South Karegar Ave, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tavakkoli
authors.affiliation: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Khoddami Vishteh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D055030:Drug Users; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007854:Lead; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Blood level; Crystal meth drug; Lead; Methamphetamine