People with metal hypersensitivity may have numerous symptoms associated with an overactive immune system, including chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cognitive impairment, depression, headaches, fibromyalgia and skin rashes.
Increased reactivity to metals has been found in the following diseases:
• Multiple Sclerosis (Prochazkova 2003, 2006, Stejskal 2006)
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Stejskal 1994, 1999)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (Prochazkova 2003, Stejskal 2006)
• Fibromyalgia (Öckert 2006, Stejskal 2013)
• Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (Pleva 2000)
• Cardiovascular disease (Manousek 2016)
• Lupus Erythematosis (Prochazkova 2003)
• Oral Lichen Planus (Stejskal 1996)
• Oral burning and itching (Stejskal 2006)
• Skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis (Prochazkova 2003, Venclikova 2003, Kohdera, Ionescu)
• Sjögren’s syndrome (Prochazkova 2003)
• Autoimmune thyroiditis (Sterzl 1999, Prochazkova 2003, 2006, Hybenova 2010)
Also, the prevalence of metal hypersensitivity in patients with implants is significantly higher than in the general population, with an even higher rate among patients with failed or failing implanted devices. (Hallab et al. Metal sensitivity in patients with orthopedic implants. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2001;83:428)
Finally, we are conducting a study on to see if metals may be implicated in the development of scoliosis.
Treatment of diseases where metal allergy has played a part
As with any allergy, the exposure to the offending allergen should be minimized or, if possible, avoided altogether. The effort put into this will depend on the patient’s symptoms and the severity of allergy. It will also depend on which metal the patient is allergic to.
Many metals can be found in food, such as nickel and cadmium, so in this case patients might consider diets low in nickel and cadmium intake.If a patient is allergic to a metal found in dental fillings or implants, it is important to consult a dentist who is experienced in the field of metal-free dentistry. The importance of being protected during removal of, for example, amalgam fillings, cannot be overstated. Every dentist will have their own protocol, which might include giving antioxidant supplements before and after the treatment, or even giving low doses of steroids to patients with strong reactions to metals.
For many patients, avoiding metals will be enough for them to feel a significant health improvement. It is possible to take follow-up MELISA after 6 months to see it the metal reactivity has decreased. If it hasn’t, there is reason to suspect that the patient is still being exposed to the metal. The allergy will decrease or disappear in patients who are no longer exposed.
Because metal particles bind to the proteins and enzymes in the body, they are difficult to remove. Many patients consider some form of detoxification to rid the body of the toxins. This therapy ranges from a gentle treatment with natural products such as chlorella, cilantro and supplements like Vitamin C, E, B and selenium, to more invasive techniques such as chelation therapy. Chelators are special chemical compounds that bind to metal ions, bringing them out of the body. Patients with metal allergy should be extremely cautions undertaking any form of chelation therapy as they might have an allergic reaction when the metals are mobilized in the body.