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Should I Discontinue Use Of Naproxen I Am Being Tested For Cadmium Poisoning?

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Posted on Fri, 9 Dec 2022
Question: I am being tested for cadmium poisoning and I am taking a pain medication with pyridoxine. Should I discontinue use of pyridoxine? Indicators of possible cadmium poisoning are many. My grandpa was a commercial fisherman in Kona and i grew up on a Kona coffee I which used rainwater and the water may have contaminated our soil. We drank tank water. We drank a lot of large fish. I have previous history of mercury poisoning and my mom reacts badly to certain types of seafood. Previous diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, bone related pain issues, high blood pressure, family history of stunted growth, family history of kidney disease, difficulty learning and keeping mind on track, lots more pointers to possibly cadmium poisoning. Should I discontinue use of naproxen? Considering I have bipolar and diabetes, what would be a better drug? Current meds: metformin, lemotragrine, and generic drug replacement for abilify
doctor
Answered by Dr. Malik (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Also, thank you for the link provided regarding cadmium toxicity.

Chronic cadmium exposure can cause different clinical manifestations. Cadmium has half life of 30 years and it accumulates in the body mainly in the liver, kidney and pancreas. It is eliminated very slowly mainly through the kidneys.
Cadmium toxicity has different clinical manifestations depending cadmium compounds accumulated. Therefore, any suspected signs or symptoms of Cadmium toxicity should be confirmed by laboratory tests.
Kidney function tests should be done as the cadmium mostly affects the kidneys. You should have creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, protein, and glucose tests. Furthermore, complete blood count, liver function tests, and DEXA (for osteoposrosis) should be done. If the kidney function and other tests suggest cadmium toxicity urinary cadmium or beta-2-microglobulin should be checked to confirm cadmium toxicity. Blood cadmium level is not useful, as it shows recent exposure. If the cadmium toxicity is confirmed you should be treated with chelating agents such as EDTA, that binds and increases urinary elimination of cadmium.
If your kidney function is not normal you should not take naproxen or any othe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can safely take paracetamol. Additionally, pyridoxine may also increase the toxic effects of cadmium. Before stopping any of the medicines you should be laboratory confirmed of cadmium toxicity.

I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.

Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (3 hours later)
I used to do XXXXXXX sub as a hobby. I did this for about a month, noncontinuous although I did it in two week spurts with lots of projects in those two week spurts? The symptoms of other diseases were evident prior to me doing this hobby. Is it possible to get chromium poisoning from XXXXXXX sub or is more likely the Kona Coffee farm with tank water contamination and large fish grown in ocean area where washout occurred? If I do prove to have chromium poisoning, is is possible to show how long I have had it? Chromium poisoning from hobby would only be from this year like late last December.
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (0 minute later)
Im very sorry, cadmium not chromium
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (17 minutes later)
I also wanted to thank you so much for the information. I really appreciate it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Malik (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are most welcome.

Thank you for the follow-up questions.

Cadmium toxicity is not related to your hobby. Acute cadmium toxicity is highly unlikely.
It is likely you had exposure in Kona Coffee farm. Measuring cadmium levels in the blood shows recent exposure. In recent exposure the high concentration of cadmium is still present in the blood. But after certain time the cadmium is taken up by organs and gradually accumulate in organs-mostly in kidney and liver. At this time blood cadmium test is not helpful. Urinary cadmium test or beta-2-microglobulin test shows chronic cadmium toxicity even you had exposure many years ago. But it is really difficult to say how long you had cadmium in your body. Hair or nail cadmium can be studied to measure time of exposure or accumulation time but that requires sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Hope the information is helpful. Wishing you good health.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (1 hour later)
Yes, this is very helpful. Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! You are amazing and I am appreciative
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Follow up: Dr. Malik (11 minutes later)
I will go to the doctor for testing. Given the possibility of cadmium poisoning, what other things should I be tested for based on my exposure to Kona coffee farming? I am thinking there must be other things, but not sure exactly what to look for. I apologize for having so many questions. I am deeply appreciative of all of your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Malik (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The most commonly heavy metals from contaminated soil or waters besides cadmium are arsenic, copper and lead. But the biological half-time of these metals are much shorter than cadmium. As I explained in my previous answer cadmium has about 30 years of biological half life. In order to completely eliminate cadmium from the body it takes about 60 years without an intervention. Other heavy metals have relatively short biological half life. After the exposure it takes maximum 10 years for cobalt, or just 2 months for lead to clear from the body. Other metals are not much concern. Even you had an exposure to other heavy metals or toxins in the past, they already eliminated from your body.

Hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Dr. Malik

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 353 Questions

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Should I Discontinue Use Of Naproxen I Am Being Tested For Cadmium Poisoning?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Also, thank you for the link provided regarding cadmium toxicity. Chronic cadmium exposure can cause different clinical manifestations. Cadmium has half life of 30 years and it accumulates in the body mainly in the liver, kidney and pancreas. It is eliminated very slowly mainly through the kidneys. Cadmium toxicity has different clinical manifestations depending cadmium compounds accumulated. Therefore, any suspected signs or symptoms of Cadmium toxicity should be confirmed by laboratory tests. Kidney function tests should be done as the cadmium mostly affects the kidneys. You should have creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, protein, and glucose tests. Furthermore, complete blood count, liver function tests, and DEXA (for osteoposrosis) should be done. If the kidney function and other tests suggest cadmium toxicity urinary cadmium or beta-2-microglobulin should be checked to confirm cadmium toxicity. Blood cadmium level is not useful, as it shows recent exposure. If the cadmium toxicity is confirmed you should be treated with chelating agents such as EDTA, that binds and increases urinary elimination of cadmium. If your kidney function is not normal you should not take naproxen or any othe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can safely take paracetamol. Additionally, pyridoxine may also increase the toxic effects of cadmium. Before stopping any of the medicines you should be laboratory confirmed of cadmium toxicity. I hope the above information will be helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know. Thank you