Relationship between mercury levels in blood and urine and complaints of chronic mercury toxicity from amalgam restorations

Abstract

To determine whether patients complaining of oral and medical symptoms perceived to be associated with chronic mercury toxicity have elevated mercury levels in their blood and urine. The study group in this audit were 56 patients presenting to an oral medicine unit with complaints perceived to be related to chronic mercury toxicity. Their symptoms and co-morbidity were charted and mercury levels in blood and urine were biochemically tested by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. None had elevated mercury levels in blood or urine above the normal threshold level. Subgroup analysis showed subjects with oral lesions, autoimmune disorders and multiple sclerosis had relatively and significantly higher mercury levels within this cohort, but within the threshold values. When tested by multiple logistic regression adjusted for age and gender, mercury levels in blood or urine, numbers of amalgams were not significant for multiple sclerosis or previously diagnosed autoimmune disease. Mercury levels in blood and urine of this cohort of patients with perceived chronic mercury toxicity were within the normal range in accordance with a national laboratory threshold value.