Mercury Poisoning Diagnosis

Mercury is a heavy, silver-colored metal. Mercury poisoning causes different symptoms, depending on whether the toxic substance is elemental, organic or inorganic.

Types

• Elemental mercury, the "quicksilver" in thermometers, is harmful if you inhale the vapors. Breathing in or ingesting inorganic mercury, found in batteries and other industrial products, can be toxic. Organic mercury exposure results when we eat fish or shellfish that have consumed mercury.

Elemental Mercury Symptoms

• Breathing in elemental mercury vapor can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing and swollen gums. Inhaling large amounts can cause lung or brain damage or death.

Inorganic Mercury Symptoms

• Inorganic mercury ingestion causes a burning sensation in the throat and stomach, as well as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. A substantial overdose can lead to massive blood or fluid loss, kidney failure, or death.

Organic Mercury Symptoms

• Organic mercury poisoning results from long-term exposure. Symptoms include numbness, tremors, difficulty walking, vision loss, memory problems, seizures or serious brain damage.

Diagnosis

• See your doctor if you suspect you are suffering from mercury poisoning. The doctor will ask questions about exposure, assess your symptoms and order tests based on her findings. Those tests might include nerve conduction studies, an electromyography (EMG) of the muscles or memory tests.