Copper poisoning
Copper toxicity has very similar effects to mercury toxicity, and is often seen together. This can be tested by doing the hair mineral analysis test. Some people may have mild genetic tendencies to accumulate too much copper.
Unfortunately chelating with ALA is likely to elevate the copper levels, as it reduces the copper excretion rate in bile in most people. DMSA does not have this effect. Cutler recommends altering the chelation schedule to allow greater "off" periods between rounds to allow more time for copper to be excreted.
Treatment of elevated copper involves:
- zinc (1/4 to 1/2 mg per pound of bodyweight, every meal),
- molybdenum (5-20 mcg per pound of bodyweight per day),
- avoiding high copper foods
- avoiding copper in supplements.
On differentiating between the toxic effects of mercury and copper, Cutler writes:
The big issue for a woman is that copper often causes horrible PMS and menstrual problems like pain, cramping and heavy flow while mercury seldom does. Otherwise they are very hard to tell apart.