In the hopes of getting my dental work covered by medical insurance, I would like to know what the most accurate (and cost effective!) tests are to show excessive mercury. I read about one test in Hal Huggins book (Porphyrin?) but I wasn't sure what is considered the latest and greatest since the book was written a number of years ago.

Thanks!

Hi, I asked my doctor about this, also in hopes of getting insurance to cover some of it. My doctor said that even with proof of heavy metal toxicity, insurance won't cover the amalgam removal (remember, the ADA doesn't admit to amalgams being toxic or leaking mercury, so they won't see the removal as important to your health treatment either way).

BUT, some good news. Contrary to what I have been told by most everyone, it is possible to at least get a large portion of the amalgam removal covered. If your amalgams are over 10 years old, or are cracked, insurance should cover it. A mercury-free dentist told me that insurance companies do not ask for proof that the amalgam was old or cracked -- if the dentist feels it needs to come out, then insurance is ok with that (as long as the dentist does NOT say it's coming out for mercury reasons!!).

The catch is that you will still be left with a sizeable fee. Insurance will only cover the cost of amalgams, which are much cheaper, and will not cover the full cost of composites/replacements after the removal. What they do is pay how much they would for the amalgam, and you have to pay the difference.

In addition, I do not know what kind of fees mercury-free dentists charge for the special equipment, time, etc that it takes to do an amalgam removal the proper way. So this is something you would have to talk to your dentist about. I know I have been told by dentists that insurance won't cover it, but I just had my removals done, and insurance did cover a lot of it. It just so happens that all of my fillings were cracked, leaking, and really needed to be replaced, but before my dentist realized that, she said that the insurance would not question it.

So hopefully that will help you out. Good luck! Also, have you heard of Jigsaw Health Foundation? Through donations and grants, this foundations helps cover costs of amalgam removals to those that cannot afford it on their own (in the US). I believe they have quarterly application deadlines, and it is well worth looking into (google their name for their website). They were able to help me out tremendously with the process and they are super nice to boot. They actually found me a mercury-free dentist who was willing to donate any services that insurance did not pay for. That is what they try to do first, and if donations from the dentist are not possible, they have grant money that you apply for. I'm a grad student living off of college loans, so I couldn't pay for it myself. But now I am amalgam-free and starting my mercury detox!

~Tia

PS - I'm also interested in finding out about tests for mercury and other heavy metals. I got my amalgams removed and am starting a heavy metal detox based on my symptoms and inability to get well from candida after a 3 year intensive diet and treatment....but I think I would prefer to get tests done either way to see the whole picture.

I've heard that the DMPS challenge test is one of the best, but that's as much as I know.

Any suggestions out there?

Thanks,
~Tia

Iv Dmps challenge is one of he easiest,but it is the most risky,it can lead to permanent irreversable sympoms,and/or death.
I was given one against my will,without an option.
If i was told of the risks i would not have done it.
The hair samle test is most reccommended,then oral dmps.

Thanks for the caution about the DMPS challenge test! I was a little wary of it to begin with, but that frightens me even more!

I've been advised away from the hair test, because similar to the blood test, it only tests for very recent exposure to mercury, while it is still fresh in your system. It can't test for the mercury that is stored in your bones and tissues, where mercury has a tendency to accumulate. So if you haven't been recently exposed, it might not detect anything, or it might only detect small amounts. Since I'm concerned more with my overall mercury (and other metal) levels, rather than recent exposure, I'm not sure where that leaves me....What is the oral DMPS you mentioned? I don't know if I've heard about that one before.

Thanks,
~Tia

the oral dmps is when they give you a few pills to take,and you collect urine for 24hr period,it's a bit safer,than the IV version,but still risky.
I would just have hair test done,if done properly it can reveal alot of info needed to determine level of toxicity.

what exactly is risky? my md/accupuncturist said i would feel fluish for a couple of days, i too feel i need an overall body burden count. my bio dentist also agrred the dmps challenge was needed. where do i go from here? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Why waste your money on tests?. If you have a mouth full of fillings ,you're exposed to toxic levels of mercury.

Jill,

Because it helps to tell you what all you are toxic with - I'm assuming it is more than just mercury. Knowing the combination of toxicity can give you and your doctor insight into the best treatment path and what additional supplements you need for support.

~Tia