[QUOTE=braninl]Thank you, little byrd. I will get to those links - when I just now tried the links it crashed my browser session. I believe what I read in your post is that even if the LabCorp test comes back as normal that doesn't necessarily conclude that there is no mercury toxicity. This test we are discussing tests the burden on the body, not the brain. I hope I have that correct, I learn more about Autism and heavy meatl toxicity every day and I've been at for more than 3 years. I just can't get my hands around this thing. I keep thinking that there's something I should be doing for the boy, something tangible. We set up an area where we work with Chris but a lot of the things I do with him I'd be doing any way. i work with his older brother everyday and he is not autistic. I guess i'm just looking for a treatable diagnosis. [/QUOTE]
Lew, you are right in your understanding about Labcorp. Believe me, several parents and I have looked into this w/ our DAN docs because if we could get it tested through Labcorp, it would be completely covered under our insurance instead of paying the out of pocket cost to the French lab. There is a certain method in measuring the copros when they are doing the results. So far, based on our DAN's comparison, they are not similar to the French lab. I really believe that one day they will be able to do the tests, but for now our DAN doc would need to do some test cases to compare the two...which I am sure they will do because it can save money for their patients.
It may be that your child is not mercury toxic. So keep that in mind. Obviously he or she could have elevated levels of other metals that you would want to remove, but other things (biomedically speaking) that you could do is cod liver oil, probiotics, digestive enzymes, supplement, going more organic, diet modifications, etc. If a child has elevated metals, then there is a good chance that one or more of the listed interventions would work.
Here are a list of helpful links about biomed stuff that you can read up on to get more info:
Biomedical Resources – general information
http://www.autism.com/treatable/adams_biomed_summary.pdf
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/index.htm (Autism Research Institute - Read the 2005 Consensus Paper – Gives an overview of DAN Protocol)
http://www.autism.com/ari (New ARI site will be fully active soon)
http://www.tacanow.com/medical.htm
http://www.generationrescue.org/
http://www.danasview.net/parent3.htm
http://www.unlockingautism.org/news.asp?action=5
http://www.icdrc.org/pdf/SimplifiedEvaluationDAN.pdf (Bradstreet/ Rossignol/ Smith’s overview of DAN Protocol)
http://www.autismrecoverynetwork.org/
Books:
Children with Starving Brains (2007) by Jaquelyn McCandless
Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD (Revised 2002 Ed) by William Shaw
Biomedical Assessment Options for Children with Autism and Related Problems (2005) by SM Baker, MD and Jon Pangborn, PhD
Biomedical Assessment Options for Children with Autism and Related Problems SUPPLEMENT (2007) by SM Baker, MD and Jon Pangborn, PhD
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders by Kenneth Bock
Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reasons for Hope and Guidance for Help (Paperback)
by Lynn Hamilton
Autism Recovery, A Biomedical Journey (DVD) [if you purchase it from ARI, part of the proceeds will be a donation to the organization]
Biomedical Message Boards/ Yahoo Groups:
http://www.autism-pdd.net (great support group board – not just biomedical)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/chelatingkids2/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/autisminfo/
http://www.autismweb.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/abmd/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismBiomedGulfCoast/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismRecoveryNetwork/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mb12valtrex/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/asd_girls/
http://sashasrecovery.com/Invision/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Lead/?yguid=1365 52797 (lead)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSI_Autism_PDD/?yguid=1 36552797
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pfeifferautispatients/
Methylation Process:
http://www.autism.com/ari/faq.htm#_Methylation
http://capelife.org/BiochemicalMalfunctionsofAutism.html
Heavy Metal Toxicity:
http://www.generationrescue.org/
http://www.autismcalciumchannelopathy.com/Toxins.html
Papers:
http://www.drneubrander.com/Files/MethylMercury%20and%20Thim erosal.pdf
http://www.icdrc.org/pdf/Blood%20Mercury%20EnvironHealthPers pect--Mahaffey.pdf
http://www.icdrc.org/pdf/BurbacherEHPPrimatesApril05.pdf
http://www.icdrc.org/pdf/Neurotoxarticle.pdf
http://www.icdrc.org/pdf/MetabolicbiomarkersinAutisticChildr en.pdf
Chelation Methods:
http://www.autism.com/ari/faq.htm#_Chelation
http://www.autism.com/treatable/adams_biomed_summary.pdf
http://www.tacanow.com/chelation.htm
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/holmes.htm
http://www.autisminfo.com/chelation.htm
http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari/treatment/chelationsafety.h tm
http://www.knowledgemessenger.com/a/Upload/66.pdf
Thank you, little byrd. I will get to those links - when I just now tried the links it crashed my browser session. I believe what I read in your post is that even if the LabCorp test comes back as normal that doesn't necessarily conclude that there is no mercury toxicity. This test we are discussing tests the burden on the body, not the brain. I hope I have that correct, I learn more about Autism and heavy meatl toxicity every day and I've been at for more than 3 years. I just can't get my hands around this thing. I keep thinking that there's something I should be doing for the boy, something tangible. We set up an area where we work with Chris but a lot of the things I do with him I'd be doing any way. i work with his older brother everyday and he is not autistic. I guess i'm just looking for a treatable diagnosis. I'm new to the forum. I have a question about mercury toxicity. I recently learned about a test that LabCorp of America performs that determines mercury toxicity from a urine test. My son was diagnosed Autistic when he was 2 and he is now 5. Since my son displayed all the behaviors that DAN, Defeat Autism Now, folks claim are caused by mercury poisoning I had the test done. My thinking was that if we could prove a treatable reason for my son's Autism we could begin medical treatment to make him better. The test came back showing normal levels of whatever it is they look for. No mercury toxicity. My question is has anyone else heard of and had this test performed? And if so, what were the results? and even with a negative test result should I have the test done again? Thank you in advance for any guidance, from all that I've read it seemed to me that mercury was the culprit and all we had to do was prove it so we could start treatment. From what I understand - the urine test for mercury is not reliable. This is a relatively new test that was developed, or at least used by, Drs. Grier & Grier. The test does not directly look for mercury but for other abnormalities in the urine that indicates heavy metal toxicity. This test is so new that I didn't think there were going to be many that have heard of it. Our pediatrician didn't even know of it. i learned about it from the Schafer Autism Report news letter that I receive daily. I've read the report as well. There is a LOT of debate on the research by the Drs Grier.
The UPPA test by Labcorp I have heard is not completely accurate. Nataf in France did a paper re: the porphyrins and in general the doctors practicing the DAN methodology use it as one of the determining factors to chelate. There are several doctors who have performed the test on NT and ASD people and the informal results seem to mirror Nataf's results from his lab.
At the DAN conference last week, it was announced that Metametrix in Norcross GA was no doing the porphyrin's test by one of the DAN docs. http://www.metametrix.com/content/Home I have to ask our DAN about if they are measuring the same as the french lab, but we will see.
If you want a test kit, you can contact them through their website or via telephone. http://www.labbio.net/pages/index_vh_eng.htm
The test is called the Urinary Porphyrin Profile. Remember it measures the heavy metal burden in the body, not the brain. The test is used as a way of monitoring the progress of chelation or natural detoxification. DAN docs also do chelation challenges with each chelating agent to see exactly what heavy metals can be pulled. The porphyrins also provide you with the results of pesticide toxicity.
There are several labs that say they measure porphyrins, but the question is if they measure coporphyrins.
For more info, here are some links.
Urine Porphyrins:
http://filariane.org/anglais/DOC/MSFINAL.pdf (Robert Nataf’s paper)
http://www.labbio.net/pages/autisme_envir_intoxication_eng.h tm
http://www.childrenscornerschool.com/porphyrin.htm
http://www.safeminds.org/pressroom/pres_releases/060214Nataf presentation.pdf
http://www.stillpointhealth.com/PorphyrinTestingforHeavyMeta ls.html
http://www.vitalitywellness.com/education/pdfs/porphyrinuria .pdf.pdf
http://www.vitalitywellness.com/education/pdfs/Porphyrins%20 DMPS.pdf