Amalgam intolerance

Amalgam intolerance is attributed to numerous clinical pictures. First and foremost, depression, fatigue, joint pain and inflammation, numbness, sleep disorders and headaches are mentioned.

Previous psychological trauma, such as closed head injuries, make the brain susceptible to the accumulation of lead, aluminum and mercury. If amalgam intolerance is suspected, the first thing to do is to see your family doctor who will check whether the symptoms are not caused by another illness. The doctor can also determine mercury exposure with a urine or blood test. Saliva analyses ("chewing gum test") are not suitable for assessing personal mercury exposure. If necessary, the family doctor will refer the patient to a doctor trained in allergology to test whether the patient suffers from a mercury allergy or amalgam allergy. In order to check for any intolerance to dental materials, a so-called epicutaneous test is usually carried out. A special preparation of the substance that may trigger an allergy is applied to the skin and the skin reaction is checked after 24, 48 and 72 hours.

1. Marcusson JA et al. (2000) Serotonin production in lymphocytes and mercury intolerance. Toxicol In Vitro 14:133-137.