IV Chelation Therapies
There are several types of chelation therapies, each with a specific focus and benefit.
The three primary chelators are Calcium EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), Disodium EDTA and DMPS (Dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid).
Calcium EDTA chelates or removes about fifteen heavy metals but not mercury. Its greatest affinity is for lead and cadmium but if these are absent in tissues, then other metals will be chelated. This IV takes about 1-1.5 hours.
Disodium EDTA also pulls metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury but is best known for cardiovascular issues through the gentle dissolution of plaque, thus opening arterial flow and increased oxygen delivery to tissues. This IV requires about 3 hours to deliver.
DMPS is specific for mercury but will also pull lead. This IV is about half an hour.
Chelation Therapy Benefits
Since chelation is used to remove various heavy metals from the body the conditions which are helped are numerous.
Here is a partial list.
- Cardiovascular Issues
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Cerebral Vascular Insufficiency
- Elevated cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis
- Depression
- Parkinsonian type presentations
- Kidney dysfunction
- Joint pains
- Fibromyalgia
- Lowered IQ
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Diabetes
- Shingles
Many of the above conditions have multiple causes with heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium being some of them.
Lab Testing Before Chelation Therapy
Before beginning any chelation therapy, specific labs must be run.
- Liver and kidney blood tests are essential since all metals bound to a chelator are excreted through these two pathways.
- Ferritin is a protein iron complex. If the blood test result is low, these chelators will remove even more iron. An iron supplement is recommended to prevent anemia or low red cell count.
In addition to iron, other minerals are reduced with chelation. We will suggest a supplement to replenish these minerals. These should be taken on the days away from chelation.
Contraindications for Chelation Therapy
There are only a few conditions where chelation should not be administered.
The first is late stage kidney disease, what is termed 4th and 5th stage.
People with mild to moderate decrease in kidney filtration function can receive EDTA but the dosage or strength of the chelating agent must be lowered.
- Active or acute Hepatitis B&C are contraindicated yet when the acute condition has decreased then chelation can be used.
- Active and unstable congestive heart failure is a contraindication. If it is stable then chelation can be used.
- Acute infections on the day of a scheduled EDTA IV should be cancelled.
- Pregnancy is commonly contraindicated but this depends upon each woman’s needs or reasons for wanting chelation.
A person taking calcium channel blockers is not a contraindication but the dosage of EDTA is reduced at the beginning of treatments.
A history of tuberculosis is a contraindication.
Testing for Heavy Metals
When it comes to heavy metals, we have little idea about past and present exposures.
Before the first chelation IV you will collect a first morning urine sample which is shipped to Doctors Data Lab in Chicago. The lab analyzes your urine for about sixteen metals. If any are elevated, the first step is to investigate the source of exposure. Obviously, if you are going to the expense of chelation, you must first reduce your exposure.
For this first morning urine collection, there is no need to change your diet the night before but if you are one to consume fish on a regular basis, which includes sushi, then we suggest eating your typical fish meal the night before.
If this initial urine collection does not show elevated metals, then schedule your first IV chelation. After this first chelation you will again collect another urine sample from the time you finish the IV and for about 18 hours after. Do not eat fish during the collection. A small sample of this urine is shipped to Doctors Data.
Dr. Haskell will analyze this report to determine the next steps regarding chelation.
Chelation Initial Consultation
Before scheduling chelation therapy you must see Dr. Haskell for a one hour consultation.
Dr. Haskell is a licensed Naturopathic Physician with over 40 years of experience and has been providing IV chelation for about 30 years.
His training was through Dr. Frank Shallenberger and two chelation physician training organizations, the International Society of Chelation Technicians and the International IV Nutritional Therapy Association.
During your initial visit there’s a complete review of symptoms, a chronological medical and environmental history and a physical exam.
This visit is very important to know if you are a candidate for chelation therapy as well as investigating other causes which may be underling your symptoms and condition.
During this consultation, based upon your medical history, symptoms and condition, a chelator will be selected.
If you have ordered labs before this first appointment with Dr. Haskell then these will be reviewed during this visit.
If you decide to wait until after this first visit before ordering labs then a second appointment will need to be scheduled to review them.
Besides the above, lifestyle and dietary recommendations will also be covered and making modifications will certainly increase the benefits of chelation.
During the first appointment a tiny drop of blood will be examined under a dark-field microscope to see if any bacteria or mold is present.
Recommended Number of Chelation IVs
The number and frequency of IVs depend upon the following.
- The severity of a person’s condition.
- Their kidney and liver functions. We do periodic blood testing for these organs.
- The results of urine heavy metals. These tests are done periodically as well.
- Frequency of the IVs will be reduced if there are signs and symptoms of mineral deficiencies.
Preparation for IV Chelation
There is little or no preparation ahead of time except for the avoidance of minerals and multivitamin supplements the day of and for 24 hours after.
You can eat before the chelation IV.
For the Disodium IV eat before coming and bring a snack. Not only does the IV require three hours but it tends to lower blood sugar.
For collecting urine after the IV, do not eat fish that day and during the urine collection.
Cost of Chelation IVs
- Heavy Metal Urine Collection ($150)
- Calcium EDTA IV ($180)
- Disodium EDTA IV ($185)
- DMPS IV ($185)
- Glutathione after chelation IV cost depends upon the quantity.
- We may recommend an IV with Vitamin C with vitamins and minerals ($150)