Chelation therapy is used to remove poisons, also called toxins,
from the body. The most common and proven use is for poisoning
with a heavy metal, such as lead. Healthcare professionals use
this procedure when there are high levels of certain toxins in
the body. Toxins that may be treated with this procedure
include: arseniccadmiumcopper, which may build up when a person
has the inherited condition called Wilson diseasegoldiron, which
may build up in the body if a person has many blood transfusions
or has a hereditary condition such as hemochromatosis or
hemosiderosisleadmercury Before a healthcare professional
decides to do chelation therapy, he or she will ask about the
person's medical and family history and examine the individual
for signs of heavy metal toxicity and for other associated
conditions. The following tests may also be helpful: blood
pressure checka blood test to measure the exact level of toxin
in the bodyan electrocardiogram (ECG)kidney function testsliver
function tests Other tests may als