Symptoms Recognized by the ADA
Mercury stores in the body in the following order:
- In the kidney
- In the liver
- In neurological tissue
- In the GI tract
- In the rest of the body tissues
Symptoms related to mercury poisoning are vast; however, even the American Dental Association (ADA) admits to the following symptoms:
- Tremor observed in the fine voluntary muscle movement such as handwriting, eventually progressing to convulsions
- Depression, fatigue increased irritability, moodiness, nervous excitability especially when criticized
- Inability to concentrate, loss of memory
- Insomnia or drowsiness
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Birth defects in offspring
- Nephritis or symptoms of kidney disease
- Pneumonitis
- Swollen glands and tongue
- Ulceration of oral mucosa
- Dark pigmentation of marginal gingiva and loosening of teeth
Other Possible Signs/Symptoms of Mercury Toxicity Include:
Disturbances of the Central Nervous System:
- Irritability
- Anxiety/nervousness, often with difficulty breathing
- Restlessness
- Exaggerated response to stimulation
- Fearfulness
- Emotional instability
- Lack of self-control
- Fits of anger with violent, irrational behavior
- Loss of self-confidence
- Indecision
- Shyness or timidity, easily embarrassed
- Loss of memory
- Inability to concentrate
- Lethargy/drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Mental depression, despondency
- Withdrawal
- Suicidal tendencies
- Manic depression
- Numbness and tingling of hands, feet, fingers, toes, or lips
- Muscle weakness, progressing to paralysis
- Ataxia
- Tremors/trembling of hands, feet, lips, eyelids, or tongue
- Incoordination
- Myasthenia gravis
- Graves disease
- Multiple sclerosis
Head, Neck, Oral Cavity Disorders:
- Bleeding gums
- Alveolar bone loss
- Loosening of teeth
- Excessive salivation
- Foul breath
- Metallic taste
- Burning sensations, with tingling of lips, face
- Tissue pigmentation (amalgam “tattoo” of gums)
- Leukoplakia
- Stomatitis
- Ulceration of gingiva, palate, tongue
- Dizziness or acute/chronic vertigo (Meniere’s Disease)
- Ringing in the ears
- Hearing difficulties
- Speech and visual impairment
- Glaucoma
- Restricted, dim vision
Gastrointestinal Effects:
- Food sensitivities
- Abdominal cramps
- Colitis/diverticulitis
- Chronic diarrhea/constipation
Cardiovascular Effects:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Abnormal blood pressure, either high or low
Immunological:
- Repeated infections
- Viral and fungal infections
- Candida or other yeast infections
- Mycobacterial infections
- Cancer
Autoimmune Disorders:
- Arthritis
- Lupus erythematosus (LE)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Scleroderma
- Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Hypothyroidism
Systemic Effects:
- Chronic headaches
- Allergies
- Severe dermatitis
- Unexplained reactivity
- Thyroid disturbance
- Subnormal body temperature
- Cold, clammy skin, especially hands and feet
- Excessive perspiration, with frequent night sweats
- Unexplained sensory symptoms, including pain
- Unexplained numbness, or burning sensations
- Unexplained anemia
- Chronic kidney disease
- Nephritic syndrome
- Kidney infection
- Adrenal disease
- General fatigue
- Loss of appetite/with or without weight loss
- Loss of weight
- Hypoglycemia
In Children/Infants:
- Autism
- Slow speech development
- Hands and feet red, swollen, and cold
- Intelligence disturbances
- Slight, persistent fever
- Pyramidal symptoms
- Mental retardation
- Disturbed body growth
- Primitive reflexes
- Anorexia
- Irritability
- Limb deformity
- Fretfulness
- Weakness
- Acrodynia
- Cerebral palsy
Again, it is important to note that because mercury is a cumulative toxin, it is quite possible for a patient to have a mouthful of “silver fillings” and not be symptomatic. Even though the mercury is still doing systemic, physiological damage, the patient may not be showing signs or symptoms.
