Over the course of many years of seeing natural practitioners, the topic of heavy metals, and mercury in particular, came up over and over again. I didn't know what to make of it. Mercury Poisoning? Me? I ended up taking a mild detox supplement and found out that it really looked like I indeed had heavy metal toxicity. I'll write more on it later, but today, Kristie, from Family, Home, and Health is here to share her story of recovery from mercury poisoning.
Horrible Health Problems
I struggled for many years feeling badly-so I was used to being tired. I was used to being unable to keep my house clean. And I was used to staying home because I could never “catch up”. But, I wasn't used to the debilitating headaches, insomnia, and generally feeling awful that rendered me unable to function.
I had resorted to eating a lot of frozen pizza in an effort to “survive”. My house became even worse as I was having a hard time keeping up with even regular chores much less deep cleaning.
I know it sounds crazy, but it had to get that bad before I realized that something was seriously wrong. I had grown used to the fact that sometimes I just didn't feel very well. Since doctors had never been able to help, I chalked it up to stress. I went to quite a few doctors and got quite a few diagnosis, and I improved some by addressing PCOS, liver health, infections, and candida.
Specific supplements helped to improve my sleep and energy levels. But I knew I wasn't totally well. I still had weird abdominal bloating and fatigue (even though I had been treated for candida and infection), and my sleep and weight still weren't the best. I continued to skip periods and have other signs of hormonal dysfunction. So, I continued to research.
I read many stories of mercury toxicity and many of the mercury toxic people reminded me of myself. It all seemed to point to mercury poisoning–adrenal fatigue, hormonal dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, liver problems, thyroid-type symptoms, candida, and chronic fatigue.
After a lot of research and prayer, I decided to have my mercury tooth fillings replaced with composite fillings.
I chose a safe dentist and had my fillings removed. I spent alot of money. Still, I didn't know 100% if this was “the answer”. But I went in the faith that I had done my homework and had peace from God that I needed to move forward in seeking health.
Since removing my mercury fillings and detoxing, I have improved by leaps and bounds!
In fact, I had been eating a healthy nourishing diet and taking good care of myself for a few years, but I hadn't been able to lose the extra weight that I had. After I had my fillings removed, the weight just left. I wasn't “puffy” anymore.
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury is a very ugly toxin. It does damage to the body in many ways. But there is hope! I recovered from chronic fatigue, polycystic ovarian syndrome, anemia, metabolic syndrome, headaches, and insomnia. I want to share the steps I took to recover.
It's importan to add that these steps may not be the ones that you need to take. Mercury can be very tricky, and each person's body is different. Yet, I do I feel that the way I chose to handle mercury was (in my opinion) a very safe way to detox. I was concerned about damaging my body further so I chose to do my detox in a way that I felt was the safest possible.
The very first things that must be done to detox safely from mercury include:
- See a Doctor who can diagnose any other problems that you may have-address your mineral status and deal with any medical problems that you can ahead of time. Before I had my fillings replaced, I had already been treated by an integrated doctor for a gut infection. I had also been on bioidentical progesterone to help balance my hormones and had quite a few vitamin C IVs. Additionally, I was on a targeted vitamin and supplement program.
- Choose a safe dentist. Many people have become very sick from having a dentist improperly remove a mercury filling. It is important to carefully choose your dentist. Never let a dentist just “drill out”an old filling. Dr. Mercola has some good advice on choosing a safe dentist.
This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission.
Once those two things are taken care of it is time to think about how to help the body get rid of the stored mercury, and how to heal from the mercury damage. Here are the 4 different areas that will need to be addressed with mercury toxicity:
Recovery from Mercury Poisoning
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Mineral Status –
This is best addressed way before the removal of the fillings. I had testing done through Metametrix Labs along with some blood testing. My practitioner put me on optimal vitamins and retested periodically so that I would know which vitamins were needed. Minerals are vital–when there are mineral deficiencies a lot of symptoms begin to show up.
I believe that many of the terrible symptoms from mercury poisoning are due to the mercury displacing minerals. Most mercury-damaged people will do well on high quality B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium (sometimes calcium also), vitamin D, trace minerals, and vitamin E.
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Safely Remove Mercury from the Body –
I started doing this the day I had my fillings removed. I scheduled an appointment with my integrated physician to have a vitamin C IV within hours of my filling removal. Vitamin C helps to neutralize mercury. I swished activated charcoal around in my mouth when I got home to absorb any particles of mercury left in my mouth.
I brushed my teeth with activated charcoal and swished and spit a lot. Then I took an activated charcoal pill. Later on I took a detox product similar to this one. Having optimal liver function is important for detox–I took liposomal glutathione to improve liver health.
I did clay foot baths. I am now juicing and should have done this a long time ago! Juicing is wonderful for detoxing.
(Note from Adrienne – I found that zeolite really helped me as I started on a mild detox from heavy metal toxicity. Also think about where else your heavy metal exposures might be coming from. I personally was shocked to find out the there are loads of heavy metals in many beauty products. Really. I never would have thought about that!)
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Address Candida –
If you have issues with mercury it is extremely likely that you have issues with candida. Some people will not be able to overcome candida problems until they work on ridding themselves of mercury.
Of course a real food diet is important. High quality meat, eggs and vegetables are helpful for detox. Avoid sugar and yeast. Vinegars can also aggravate yeast. Take anti-fungal supplements and rotate them.
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Heal the Gut –
You can work on this as you are working on detox. But I found that I was really able to concentrate on my digestion after I had worked on detox for a long while. I think because my mercury symptoms were so much better. Finally, I could pinpoint that certain foods were bothering me.
I got tested for Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO) and had a positive test result. I began a protocol and diet to treat that. Then I started supporting my liver with food and eventually juicing and cut out food groups that I was intolerant to. Other helpful therapies for healing the gut include l-glutamine, turmeric, probiotics, licorice, garlic, and of course candida fighting foods and supplements.
I know this list looks long-and it is! For me it was a very long journey back to health.
Not All At Once
I didn't do all these things at once. In fact detoxing often happens in cycles. I would sometimes be actively working on something pertaining to detox. Other times I would just take my regular vitamins and minerals and eat well. I also want to mention that some people will not have to address all these areas. Sometimes, simply having a safe dentist remove the fillings can be the catalyst for healing.
I personally needed to address all these areas, but it has all been worth it.
No longer do I feel sick and exhausted.
I'm at a healthy weight now.
I sleep well.
I am able to keep up with my responsibilities.
–and I am able to enjoy life again!
{Please note that neither Kristie nor Adrienne are medical professionals and the above is not medical advice. Please consult your physician prior to making changes to your diet, supplements, or exercise program}
Have you heard about Mercury Poisoning before?
What do you think about this?
Kristie has had the privilege to be a stay at home wife (and then mom) for 18 years. Homeschooling became a passion for her after the blessing of her first daughter arrived. In 2010 Kristie's chronic health problems became serious enough that homeschooling was becoming very hard to keep up. Her prayers and research led her to health and then to blogging! Nowadays you can find Kristie busy in the kitchen making family approved allergy-friendly meals. Unless she's busy researching her next health topic or homeschooling! She blogs at Family, Home, and Health and you can also find her on her Facebook page or Pinterest.
Heidi Clinansmith says
Add 15 more bad symptoms(3yrs) and this is where i am at! 1st round of Mercury detox w/safe amalgum removal. Hopefully addressing candida soon as well. I am a stay at home mom and homeschool.
Adrienne says
So sorry. I just prayed for you. It can all be a long road!
Mark Mitchell says
Hi a very interesting article
I’m a 53yr old man and have been reading so much about mercury poisening from dental amalgam fillings. I’ve had chronic fatigue for ages prostrate issues then a yr ago two of my teeth with large fillings fell apart I felt so I’ll then not long after apendixitis instant removal caused by nasty bacteria infection ct scan showed a fatty adenoma left adrenal gland tests show non productive but actually low hormones from adrenals I improved a little after months but after have teeth prepared for crowns to fill gaps two teeth had large fillings I felt I’ll quickly again esp my gut I them had rest of fillings removed before crowns fitted I felt I’ll again but some improvement
If I’d known more information I’d of taken a diff route but too late so any advice to aid recovery plse as now I’m sure my fillings have been causing my issues for many yrs
Mark
Tash says
I really wish I had known all these things a long time ago 🙁 I got a number of amalgams drilled out by a dentist who said it was totally safe. I got very sick ! I’ve had the last two out by a biodentist and am now working with a functional doctor on regaining my health and detoxing. I’m grateful I’m still here – I wasn’t sure I would be.
I’ve cautioned all my friends and family. Mercury poisoning does scary scary things to your brain…I never want to feel that way again! Thank GOD He saw me through and is with me always – he spoke to me 3 John 1:2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Don’t we serve a gracious and loving GOD!!
Adrienne says
So glad you got your health back!!!!
Richard says
4 years ago at age 60, after over 4 decades of weekly migraines before I discovered amalgam poisoning. I had 17 fillings PROPERLY replaced and the migraines stopped from that day. I had a test before removal and mercury poisoning was at an industrial injury level. The only headaches I get now are related to MSG, which must be avoided. I did not detox, but my question is: should I ? If so, then how? I don’t have to say that dentists are performing crimes filling our mouths with this deadly substance. But why?
In 1985 I got very sick, and spent 3 weeks in a neurological hospital with suspected encephalitis, apparently I nearly died. A spine fluid test was not conclusive, but I had the matching symptoms. I had a further 6 weeks off work recovering. I recently checked the date of a dentist visit at that time, and compared it to my hospitalization. My dentist visit was the week before I became sick (due to my illness I never paid the dentist in time, thankfully I still had the summons he sent me, how’s that for ironic). So at last, I know why the spine fluid test was inconclusive;+ I was simply poisoned getting fillings. Amalgams are potentially life threatening, and probably the cause of much motor neuron disease. Get them out if you have them, no matter the cost.
Mark Mitchell says
What I found so hard was for anyone to actually take me seriously and still am the dentist just tried to brush me aside and said my fillings were still ok they where big gone black and leaving a metal fish like taste is best I can discribe it I seemed to feel worse after chewing the side these fillings were due to hole in a tooth the other side I’ve just had these fillings removed prior to crowns but I’d of just let the dentist fit them on top of the metal if I didn’t feel so unwell and read about mercury toxins
I had no choice but use a local dentist who couldn’t understand why I was insisting to remove fillings before crowns this process made me worse until now I’m a long way off yet but already my titinus is a bit better and my gut seems slowly improving
Mark
Morgan Reece says
Mark, I urge you to get Amalgam Illness by Andy Cutler. Best resource on this topic. Also find and join the Yahoo Frequent Low Dose Chelation group. Tons of free support. Praying for you.
Adrienne says
Hi again. As mentioned in response to your other comment I’m a little concerned. I don’t know the best thing to do about all of this. What do you think about using things like zeolite, spirulina and chlorella? I have heard of people getting worse on this and other protocols and have heard about the danger of doing chelation. Hard to know!
D Carmichael says
How long did it take to recover entirely from the time you started treatment for the mercury issue?
My brother was diagnosed with mercury poisoning 3 months ago and is just now finally able to get out of bed.
Thank you
Kristie says
I am not sure of the exact timeline, but I know it was a gradual progression. I just had less times of feeling bad as time went on. Some issues started to improve shortly after I had my fillings removed. I would say that I could see a big improvement within 6 months. But, I still had some issues to work on. I don’t know whether those issues were caused by the mercury or were just a separate issue. Either way, I began to tackle those issues after I had improved a whole lot.
Heidi Clinansmith says
Thank you! I was so encouraged by your account of it all and was just telling my husband how timely it was i read it. I have three big rounds on this Mercury Detox that I have to do w/getting amalgums out (i had 5) and I’m just getting to the end of my first one and it’s been pretty awful so far. Trying to homeschool and be a mom to two little girls as rough during this time. And i was just beginning to doubt it was on the rt track to feeling better. Your post reminded me of how God has literally open doors and giving us Direction on our functional practitioner and even finding a dentist that takes our insurance yet will follow precautions to the T. It has all been such a trusting process cuz I hadn’t seen no results yet. My husband is still quite skeptical this is going to help me and just recently those doubts have crept in my own mind. I keep looking back on how God has open doors and I know you’re on the right track it’s just hard when you’re in it. Thank you for sharing your story. There’s so much unknown still and I have not even scraped the top of the bucket with the Candida because we are so focused on the Mercury right now cuz it was super high. I know we will get to it but I just want to do everything right now to feel better. I am doing almost everything that you had talked about which really put my mind at ease. My functional medicine doctor seems to be very on top of it with the supplements and multiple chelation components.
Maybe one day I’ll get to share my story with a clear mind and I hope to helps others. so thankful that you did yours!
Adrienne says
I hope you get better!!
Morgan Reece says
Hang in there! This is a great post with a lot of good commonsense advice on it. You are on the right track. Trust the Lord to continue to lead and guide. Be patient, and grateful that at least you are heading the right direction now. Mercury poisoning is real, and it truly messes with your brain. I followed a detox protocol for a short time but had to quit because I was pushing it too hard, and redistribution symptoms were making me feel like I was going crazy. I took a whole year off and I’m finally getting started again. The thing that keeps me going is remembering that mercury is not going to just leave on its own. Our bodies don’t detox it fast enough to make a difference without help. The supplements mentioned above are super important to help minimize damage while mercury is leaving the body. It sounds like you are in good hands. In addition to this post, I recommend Amalgam Illness by Andy Cutler. He was a biochemist poisoned by mercury and had to do his own research to cure himself. Best book on the subject in my opinion, even though it is very difficult to read. It is very repetitive, but that is on purpose because as Andy explained and he understood, people poisoned by mercury have a hard time focusing and retaining information. That’s been my experience for sure! (Straight A student in school, but now I feel like an absolute idiot most of the time. Amalgam illness is a very humbling condition.) Praying that you will see real improvement soon.
Adrienne says
Thanks for this. I have heard of people getting worse on his protocol but I guess that can be with anything? Do you know anything about that?
TJ Moore says
I’m wondering has anyone here ever fully recovered?
TJ Moore says
Part Three — My lead level is now in the 20s and I still have symptoms but am able to function. I still have the fatigue, the weight, the puffiness and bad attitude that come with the poison but am 1000% glad that I did the chelation treatments as rough as it can be it is worth it to be able to function. I’m back in school now and am writing a paper for my composition class and it is on toxicity. I’ve been researching and writing and crying, for myself and others. Especially others that have no idea what is wrong, just that they feel terrible or their child is sick all the time and no one can explain it. Be a self-advocate, take the pills, find the doctor, do the chelation…have a full life! …and share your experience, push people to get tested, it’s an epidemic that’s just starting to surface. Be a driving force behind helping your community and the world to get better and to understand what is driving cancer and so many other diseases. Thanks for reading my story. xo
Adrienne says
Yes, I so wish the epidemics of toxicity on many levels would stop!
TJ Moore says
Part two — I would get home and feel like I had the flu — body aches, headache, nausea, etc. It’s how you feel all the time but more so. It’s the toxins free floating in your body trying to leave. They have detached from your bones, your brain, fat tissues and organs and are leaving your system. Eventually, the flu-like feeling wasn’t as severe, perhaps if you aren’t as poisoned as I was you won’t experience what I did. But, I did start to feel better, the first thing I noticed was like a curtain being raised as the brain fog started to recede. My symptoms overall have lessened but as the writer above states you sometimes feel crappy in waves and you sometimes don’t feel like eating the right thing so you choose the wrong thing. Or you are sick of taking all the pills and then you remember why you take them when you start feeling terrible again.
Mian says
Hello TJ Moore
You just described myself as far as your symptoms in your “Part two”. I have been doing tests for the past two years and a half, serious medical tests and doctors found nothing. The flulike symptoms and the nausea are terrible. Can I ask you which doctor you went to? and anything as far as supplements that you took? I will do this asap as far as taking out my 4 silver fillings that were done around 1990. I feel horrible as I write this, feels like I’m totally sick.
I had MRI’s, CT scans, ultra sounds, stomach empty study, esophageal monometry test, autoimmune blood tests, very detailed gall bladder and liver tests, 3 endoscopies, colonoscopy. It was a sick journey and all tests are normal. That’s why I’m looking to my silver fillings that actually one broken off a year ago.
TJ Moore says
My toxicity levels were tested in 2005 after finally finding a doctor that considered that I might be toxic. My lead was at 82, should be 2>, I also had elevated mercury levels but not as severe as the lead. I was a mess when diagnosed and had been to many doctors in my lifetime and believe I was exposed as a child then moved into a building as an adult in silicon valley, California where I got nailed and exposed to massive amounts of toxins. My doctor, Angelique Hart, MD, New Mexico, immediately treated my sub-clinical hypothyroidism and adrenal depletion. As well as a medicine cabinet full of supplements. I’ve experienced at this point about 45 intravenous chelation treatments. When I first started I was going twice a week. She would put the EDTA medicine in a saline pouch and let it slowly drip into my body which takes about 4 hours. During the treatment it’s actually a little boring, so you read or watch videos talk to other patients, anything to pass the time. It’s recommended that you eat while getting treatment, so packing snacks are part of my chelation visit. The whole day you must drink as much water as you can, I don’t mean 8-8 oz glasses either. The EDTA / Chelation “grabs” all the minerals in your body, good and bad, and are eliminated with all the water that is passing through your system.
Brooke Taylor says
This is so encouraging! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been struggling with SIBO and fatigue for a few years now (despite a strict paleo and low sugar diet). I keep coming back to the fact that I don’t detox well and probably need my fillings removed. What has held me back from doing it are the complicated chelation protocols and terrible side effects I’ve read about. I’m working on detoxing my liver right now but I’m leaning towards just getting the mercury out
Christie Wilson says
I’m doing he same thing . I had over 15 mercury fillings from age 11 and that’s when my migraines started . I have 9 left to remove . I have been diagnosed and treated ( without success! ) for everything from polysystic ovarian syndrome to it’s all in my head ( anxiety and depression) I’m 48 now and my life has literally been a constant race to see what is wrong with me!
Adrienne says
So sorry. Have you read this post? https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/could-you-have-heavy-metal-poisoning-and-not-know-it-part-one/
Eric says
Did you detox naturally or did you do chelation therapy ? I’m having the first two of my four silver fillings removed next week and I’m nervous about starting chelation after the second two are removed soon after. I’ve heard almost nothing but horrors stories about chelation and wonder if it’s worth it.
Kristie says
No, I didn’t do a specific chelation therapy. I also felt wary of chelation therapy, and opted instead to do other natural therapies-many of them are mentioned in this article.
Mile says
Mucusless diet helth system will help.
Kathi says
In 1999, I became very sick. I was passing out, forgetting how to get home, severe pain all over, chest pains, migraines, anxiety, not remembering how to do my job and sometimes that even recognizing my surroundings. I went to over 21 doctors and was told I was crazy and it was all in my head. Finally, after a lot of praying, I found an Environmental, Occupation doctor in North Charleston, SC, Dr Lieberman. Actually, it was his partner Dr. Sheer that found out I had mercury poisoning. It was off the chart and he said I had to go to a special dentist to have them removed. He was surprised I was still alive. I actually had what they called amalgam tattoos (3 of them). This poison was in my blood stream and had been poisoning my body since I was a child. We are talking over 30 years at the time. It took over 6 million nths to safely get the amalgams removed. I took large doses of vitamin C. After this, I had to find a doctor who would remove the mercury from my body. We had to travel 31/2 hours to go to the doctor in Raleigh, NC, Dr. Beverly Goode. Treatment started out two times a week. I got very sick trying to take the medicine by mouth so we started chelation therapy. It took not only the bad stuff out of my body but the good also. I had to take over 90 pills a day and a very strict diet. Between Dr Goode and Dr. Sheer, my life was saved. I would like to say that sent going through all of that, that my life turned back to normal but it didn’t. I had to stop being a cosmetologist and go on disability. I have fibromyalgia severely, IC really bad and now arthritis. I was told that some of my memories, I will never get back due to some of the cells that were damaged. Part of my life was taken away. I did get to feeling a lot better for awhile but in the last four years, I feel like I’m going backwards again. My question is could I have mercury toxicity again. If so, I have no idea where to begin with to get tested. This has been a long time. I had a hard enough time with the doctors back then. The dentist I go to knows not to come near me with anything silver.. My family physician I go to now would help me out but she has no clue how. What test to order, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I need to do. I keep being told that there is really nothing else the doctors can do because I can’t take a lot of the medication they want to put me on. I really am that able to travel all over the country. I do go to a specialist for my IC in Winston Salem, NC so if I could find someone there to help me beacause im sure Florence, SC has no one. Any suggestions?
Adrienne says
Oh my. I don’t know. I will say that I am sure that I still have metal issues. I have heard that you can do a challenge test with urine. I am starting to use Diatomaceous Earth and can tell it’s doing something.
I am starting to take Diatomaceous Earth and it has loads of testimonials about improving people’s health, including about metals. http://amzn.to/2hHbf0o (affiliate link). You can read testimonials on this site (aff link): http://www.earthworkshealth.com/products.php?AfId=Y31968439725 I hope that helps. Not medical advice, of course.
R Leman says
I had the same issues, You cant do metal detox without supervision from an expert. DR mercola has the best advise.You may also wsnt to .Google “medical medium. “.Dulse is the best heavy metal/absorber and it then conducts it out of the body avoiding reapsorbtion through the tissues.. I can tolerate chorella ,it reacts in my gut but no problems with ” dulse”Find a kiesioligist that is willing to work with you.She will energetically test you for what you need to balance your body while on the journey. This is cfucial because eveyone is different.Stop all vaccines.Eat organically etc. Purified water only and lots of it .
Adrienne says
Hi there. I’m very skeptical about the Medical Medium. First of all, it seems like he’s consulting with the afterworld which seems very eerie to me, and even dangerous. Then, if you read the negative reviews about him on Amazon they are troubling. I heard other things about him in a group on Facebook – things such as blocking and deleting negative things. I don’t know. I guess someone could say that about others, but I’m very concerned.
Even if you find a substance that can detox you that you can get yourself, you have to be very careful about detox pathways. Some people have a lot of issues and need monitoring. Thanks.
Tash says
If you’re a believer then Medical Medium is not for you IMO. There are lots of FB groups – look at 12foryou which focuses on whole foods and things like high does iodine and vit c (mercury sits on cell receptors and when it comes off you need to replace it with what should be there – the iodine), Diatomaceous Earth, Boron/Borax etc. I’ve tried loads of supplements and the best info I’ve had is from this group.
Adrienne says
I agree. NOT a fan. Thank you for the recommendation.
Adrienne says
I didn’t find that group?
Liz Stubbs says
I am using the teachings of Albert Wilking for my mercury detoxing. It is really helping and is all natural . I am from South Carolina and not too far from Florence, SC. Ask to join the Wilking Protocol Group to learn more! Hope this helps!
Chris says
OK p[lease do email me if you still have issues!!!! I know of every safer and milder method of working on this…chelation even in the cases of a urine test for mercury is to be avoided unless absolutely needed..the chelation drugs are powerful and can be rough on people although may be needed sometimes..there are healthy supplements and vitamins you can take I would probably advise that might help and couldn’t hurt..red apples..vitamin C..reduced l-glutathione…garlic..selenium.. You also need something to get the mercury out of your blood..arguably apple pectin has this effect..but there is a form of brown kelp that is supposed to be better..I usually start out with only part of a pill of anything I take make sure I don’t have a bad reaction to it…If you take too many natural chelating things like cilantro which get the mercury in your blood without taking something effective to expel it things can be bad..I don’t think it would hurt to try to find a natural milder agent for forcing mercury out and one milder natural agent or more to chelate it (like selenium) Meeting one time with a naturopath or dietician who knows about it might help or even a toxicology trained doctor