Chelation therapy

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Chelation therapy

Chelation (pronounced key-LAY-shun) therapy is a medication treatment for removing poisonous metals, such as lead, from the body. It also may be used to remove excess iron from the blood.

During chelation therapy, the person takes or has an injection of a medication (chelating agent) that binds to the metal; the medication and metal are then removed from the body through the urine. Chelation therapy also removes metals (like iron) that the body needs; therefore, chelation therapy must be done carefully.

Chelation therapy can be used to treat severe lead poisoning. It also may be used to treat iron overload in people who need frequent blood transfusions, which can create organ-damaging excesses of iron. (People with conditions such as thalassemia often receive blood transfusion therapy.) In addition, people with hemochromatosis may occasionally require chelation therapy to reduce iron excess in their blood.

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

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Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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