Living with Lead poisoning
Illness caused by lead from the environment that can affect almost every organ, especially in children.
Understanding Lead poisoning
Lead can come from old paint, water pipes in older homes, some jobs and hobbies, and some folk remedies. It can affect almost every organ and system. Lead is especially dangerous for children, and even low levels can affect a child's mental and physical growth.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Belly pain
- Belly bloating
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- High blood pressure
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and digestive system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by taking in lead by eating or drinking something that contains it, breathing it in, or swallowing or touching dirt that contains it. It is not described as an inherited condition.
Also known as: lead intoxication; plumbism; saturnism
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Lead poisoning.
Explore research for Lead poisoning
Explore actively recruiting Lead poisoning studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Lead poisoning with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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