Gadolinium (Gd)
Gadolinium is one of the most abundant "rare-earth" elements but is
never found as a free element in nature. Gadolinium has no known biological
role in humans. Toxicity due to Gadolinium is rare due to its poor
gastrointestinal absorption (it is suspected that very little Gadolinium is
absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (<0.05%), similar to other rare
earth metals) and there is no information on the tissue distribution of
Gadolinium. Most likely Gadolinium is excreted slowly through the fecal and
urinary routes. If exposure to high enough doses and/or if absorption does
occur, symptoms of acute parenteral toxicity may develop, including
abdominal cramps, diarrhea, lethargy, muscular spasms, and even eventual
death due to respiratory collapse. Gadolinium salts can cause irritation of
the skin and eyes and are suspected to be possible carcinogens. As reported
by Perazella (2009) Gadolinium-based contrast (GBC) agents have been linked
on occasion with a rare systemic fibrosing condition called nephrogenic
systemic fibrosis (NSF) and their use in patients with advanced kidney
disease should be avoided. Gadolinium is often used in alloys, improving the
workability and resistance of metals (e.g. chromium, iron). Other technical
uses include the phosphors of color cathode-ray television tubes and in
making magnets and electronic components such as recording heads for video
recorders and in the manufacture of compact disks and computer memory. In
medicine Gadolinium in MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) is used as a
non-radioactive MRI contrast agent and has a half life in blood of about 90
minutes. It is also used in control rods for nuclear reactors and power
plants, in making garnets for microwave applications. In vitro evidence
suggests that EDTA may effectively bind to Gadolinium therefore EDTA for
Gadolinium would be a good choice as a chelation agent.
Blood testing is not an accurate indicators of tissue levels of Gadolinium. You can do a
stool collection or a provoked challenge, with a toxic metals urine collection which
is an indirect indication of your total body load of Gadolinium.
Hair Analysis will show gadolinium exposure over a longer period of time.
You can order one of the following tests:
Doctors Data Stool Gadolinium only test
Doctors Data Lab Hair Comprehensive Toxic Elements Analysis
