can lead poisoning cause hypoglycemia?
140797
Symptoms\n\nLead poisoning usually does not cause noticeable symptoms. Most lead poisoning comes from low levels of exposure over a long period of time. The major organ systems affected are the central nervous system, gastrointestinal (digestive) tract, and the renal system (urinary tract).\n\nChronic lead exposure may cause the following symptoms.\n\nGeneral physical symptoms in children and adults (usually seen when lead poisoning levels are severe)\n\nStomachaches, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea \nNausea, vomiting \nPersistent, unexplained fatigue \nHeadache \nMuscle weakness \nHigher rates of tooth decay \nChildren with chronic low blood lead levels who may not have obvious symptoms of lead poisoning may show slightly lower intelligence and be smaller in size than children their age who do not have low to moderate levels of lead poisoning. A recent study showed that declines in IQ can even be seen in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (10 µg/dL), the level of concern defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. 11 Chronic exposure to lead may also cause behavioral problems in these children. \n\nBehavioral symptoms in children\n\nIrritability or aggressiveness \nHyperactivity, being easily distracted, impulsiveness \nLearning difficulties \nLethargy or less interest in play \nLoss of appetite \nBehavioral symptoms in adults\n\nUnexplained changes in mood or personality \nChanges in sleep patterns \nInability to concentrate \nDecreased sex drive \nMemory loss \nIrritability \nNeurological symptoms (caused by effects of lead on the nervous system)\n\nPoor coordination \nWeakness in hands and feet \nHeadaches \nConvulsions \nParalysis \nComa \nDiagnosing lead poisoning can be difficult because many other conditions cause similar symptoms. \n\nSevere symptoms of acute lead poisoning can include seizures, unconsciousness, paralysis, or swelling in the brain. However, exposure to such a high level of lead is not common. 1 If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
85468
Insulin injections cause diabetics to metabolize glucose, because their body can't produce it.  If a person with a normal metabolism injected insulin they could become hypoglycemic, may go in to a coma, and could die.
176106
No, because pencil 'lead' is no longer made of lead. It's now made of non-toxic graphite. I also have a small piece in my skin.
798774
I'm a RN who has taught Nursing for over 20 years in numerous clinical settings.  I am so sorry to hear about your father's health problems and I understand your concern about how to best manage the symptoms medically.  You have described his lab results and present symptoms very well.  Except for the constipation which can be quite easily managed, the remainder of his symptoms are significant CNS symptoms causing his brain dysfunction.  I agree with his doctors' provisional diagnosis based on the medical/clinical information you presented and also encourage you to facilitate chelation therapy  for your dad as soon as possible.  BAL is a harmless compound used for binding the mercuric ion to it but the therapeutic usefulness of BAL depends on its immediate administration at the acute onset of the mercury poisoning.   I think that it would be no longer useful for your dad.  I believe that your dad is experiencing chronic mercury poisoning  and Penicillamine may well be the drug of choice.  Penicillamine can be administered orally and appears to chelate mercury selectively, with considerably less effect on copper, which is essential to many metabolic processes.  Your dad's copper level was borderline low so you would want to preserve as much copper as possible which Penicillamine does.  Penicillamine has an advantage of being well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and promotes the excretion of mercury in the urine.  N-Acetyl-dl-penicillamine is even more effective than Penicillamine in protecting against the effects of mercury on the brain, probably because it is more resistant to metabolic degradation, and it has the advantage of being less toxic.  I'm not as familiar with the use of DMSA or DMPS as chelating agents for mercury removal from the brain.  Also you did not mention your dad's kidney function.  Mercury is highly toxic to the kidneys and I suggest that the functioning of his kidneys be evaluated.  I also suggest that your dad be assessed by a neurologist as soon as possible if that has not yet occurred due to the serious CNS symptoms that your dad is presently experiencing.  I wish your dad God's blessings and healing touch.  Good luck to you.
74244
As a nurse, I would have to agree with BOTH of the previous respondants. Being under 100 hardly constitutes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly as your body has gone all night without any caloric intake containing glucose (sugar). You may also wish to consult your physician regarding this information if you are having any syptoms of hypoglycemia.
1027124
as quoted from Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses\n"Use cautiously in electrolye abnormalities (hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypomagnesia may predispose to toxicity).\n\nHope that helps!
962168
target level is below 180 but ideally below 140 (but this will carry a higher risk of hyoglycemia).\nnever make it below 80 or even 100 as hypoglycemia will be a real danger.
1116512
Yes.  There was some lead content in the tube until they discovered a few things.  For one thing, the lead pulled the fluoride OUT of the toothpaste so that all the benefits shown in the laboratory were missing after the toothpaste had been in the tube for a couple of months.  Most of the lead was thereby tied up in the tube and not released into the toothpaste, so the contributions of toothpaste tubes to lead poisoning is questionable, but the possibility that it was doing harm was another reason to discontinue the use of lead in toothpaste tubes.  Also, do a search on "lead poisoning toothpaste" and you will find thousands of references.  Leaded gas and house paints are far and away the greatest historical threat to the general public concerning lead poisoning.
732872
If he only ate the metal part and eraser, chances are it will just pass thru his digestive system and out the "other" end. If he eats the wooden part the pieces can splinter and lodge in his throat and digestive tract causing bleeding and blockage. Pencils are rarely made out of lead anymore, usually graphite now, so I doubt he will die from poisoning. But if he feels the need to eat pencils, he either has a mental problem or a vitamin deficiency and needs to see a doctor.
948408
I too am hypoglycemic and I try to eat about 6 times a day, not just the normal 2 or 3 times a day that most people do.  And I always keep snack foods around like carrots or apples or something like that.\nI also carry succrose with me just in case of an emergency where I know that my sugar is dropping fast.\nAlcohol also increases the hypoglycemic effect.  Which I learned the hard way.
1031401
YES YES YES!!!!\n\nhypoglycemia is more serious then just needing apiece of candy to get you 'up' again. It has for many years been diregarded as the cause of so many other issues including psychiatric and behavioral.\n\n\nEX: Years ago, people use to be committed to psychiatric hospitals because of their behaviors when the behaviors were directly related to Hypoglycemia.\n\nToo often Hypoglycemia is minimized and underplayed.\n\nIf you have insurance, go to an Endocrinologist. this is the only doctor who will be able to properly assess your glucose/hypoglycemia and also do a complete Endocrine workup which always a good idea to know how the thyroid functions, etc are playing into it as well.\n\ngood luck
944964
yess..i'm afraid so..the condition is called hypoglycemia.. hypoglycemia can make u aggressive or u may feel weak, drowsy, confused, hungry, or dizzy..paleness, headache, irritability, trembling, sweating, rapid heart beat, and a cold, clammy feeling are also signs of low blood sugar..in severe cases, a person can lose consciousness and even lapse into a coma..it's best to always have sweets in ur pocket for emergencies..good luck!! =)
894536
In the absence of insulin, glucose remains in the blood and causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).  The liver is unable to metabolize the glucose and turns on the pathways for glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.  These pathways then produce additional glucose from glycogen, amino acids and glycerol.  \n\nSo in a nutshell the answer to your question is B.
378337
Glucose is a hyperglycemic it increases the BGL. It is used for diabetic hypo. In normal people this increase in glucose level stimulates insulin so the level falls. Its a balance between insulin, lowering blood glucose and other hormones like glucagon, adrenalin,steroids which increase the glucose level. Insulin is absent or low or ineffective in Diabetics so there is hyperglycemia. in diabetes--hypo occurs when you take the pill or shot and dont have food. the blood sugar falls dangerously low and the patient faints. The brain needs glucose 24*7. if there isnt glucose for 8 min or so there will be brain damage. In that case u give glucose IV and/or glucagon.
1143109
lead, poisonous gas emmissions...you are talking about damage...this stuff can kill you
775603
check your sugar level or conslt a doctor
687919
could be Hypoglycemia...I had that problem as a kid...I passed out a few times and as a result was tested for both diabetes and hypoglycemia...aka "low blood sugar". I have found that if I eat some candy, drink juice or eat/drink something with sugar in it, the dizziness goes away within minutes and I can go on with my life.