Alarming: Delhi woman suffers severe lead poisoning from alternative medicine use
PTC Web Desk: A 65-year-old woman in Delhi was diagnosed with severe lead poisoning after prolonged use of alternative medicines for bone health, highlighting the risks of unregulated treatments.
Doctors at Sir Gangaram Hospital identified the rare case after the patient suffered from persistent abdominal pain and severe anaemia. Despite multiple tests, including ultrasound, CECT scans, and endoscopies, no clear cause was found until a detailed blood lead test was conducted.
Dr Piyush Ranjan, Vice-Chairperson of the Institute of Liver Gastroenterology & Pancreatico Biliary Sciences, stated, “This case underscores the dangers of unregulated alternative medicines, which may contain harmful toxins like lead. Early detection and intervention are crucial to prevent severe health complications.”
The patient's blood lead levels were alarmingly high at 163.5 µg/dL—far above the normal limit of 10 µg/dL. She had no history of gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss, or painkiller use, making diagnosis challenging. However, her symptoms of abdominal pain and constipation led doctors to investigate possible lead exposure.
Chelation therapy was immediately started, first with British Antimony Lewisite (BAL) injections, followed by oral Succimer tablets. Within three days, the patient showed significant improvement.
- ANI
