Is Aluminum Toxicity related to Fibromyalgia?

Written By: Fibromyalgia Treating

Published Date: December 22, 2014 Last Edited: December 22, 2014

Individuals who have fibromyalgia suffer from a wide variety of symptoms. Some of those symptoms can also be indicative of certain other conditions. Aluminum toxicity is one of those conditions.

Definition of Aluminum Toxicity

When an individual breathes in a high amount of aluminum in the air, or stores it in their body, aluminum toxicity occurs. Everyone knows that aluminum is actually the most common metal found in the earth’s crust. Additionally, this means that it is present in our environment, mixed in with lots of other elements such as oxygen, fluorine, and even silicon.

In most cases, aluminum exposure is not at all harmful. However, it can cause some serious health issues if you’re exposed to very high levels of it. If you believe that you have been exposed to dangerous levels of aluminum, you should speak to your physician

What Causes Aluminum Toxicity?

Since aluminum is a prevalent element and it is found in nearly all foods, in the air, in our water, and in our soil, it can be fairly easy to be exposed to high levels of it. Following are some of the ways that you can end up being exposed to high amounts of aluminum.

If you eat lots of foods that contain high levels of aluminum
If you breathe in aluminum dust in the air at your work
If you live in a dusty environment
If you live where there is aluminum being processed or mined
If you live near specific sites for hazardous waste
If you live in an area where the levels of aluminum are naturally high
If you receive vaccinations that contain aluminum

Risk Factors for Developing Aluminum Toxicity

Anyone can develop aluminum toxicity. However, there are specific groups of people that are more likely to develop aluminum toxicity than someone that does not fit into the group. Following are some things that could increase your risk for developing aluminum toxicity. If you fit into either of these categories, you should definitely speak to your physician about it.

Older people are much more likely to develop aluminum toxicity
If you have diminished kidney functioning, you’ll be much more likely to develop aluminum toxicity
If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, and therefore a weakened immune system

Symptoms of Aluminum Toxicity

Following are a list of symptoms that go along with aluminum toxicity. However, you should not assume that just because you exhibit these symptoms that you have aluminum toxicity. All of these symptoms could be the result of other, much less serious conditions. So, if you find that you’re experiencing any of the following, you should see your physician- especially if you are suffering from kidney disease or if you’re on dialysis.

Bone pain
Weakness in muscles
An altered mental state
Fractures- especially in the ribs/pelvis- that do not heal
Anemia
Premature osteoporosis
Impaired immunity
Impaired absorption of iron
Seizures
Dementia
Spinal deformities, such as kyphosis or scoliosis
Delayed growth/development in children

Red Blood Cells and Aluminum Toxicity

Red blood cells are vital to the body because they transport oxygen. The symptoms relating to aluminum toxicity, such as an impairment in the absorption of iron and anemia, actually cause a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body.

Diagnosing Aluminum Toxicity

If you have any of the above symptoms, your physician will discuss them and your medical history with you as well as perform a physical exam. Diagnostic tests will be run, including, x-rays of your long bones, a bone biopsy to measure the levels of aluminum in your body, a blood test for anemia, and a deferoxamine infusion test.

Treating Aluminum Toxicity

There are several different treatment plans for aluminum toxicity. Some of the options for treatment include:

Medications: your physician may prescribe a medication, called deferoxamine mesylate, which you can take to eliminate the aluminum that is in your body. This medication works through a process that is referred to as chelation, which helps to rid the body of poisonous materials.
Avoid aluminum: your physician will be able to give you some advice on how to avoid- or at least limit- your exposure to aluminum through your diet and other sources.

Preventing Aluminum Toxicity

In order to reduce your chances of developing aluminum toxicity, you should take steps to avoid the following substances/materials which are likely to contain aluminum:

Antacids
Immunizations
Dialysate, which is the solution that is used in dialysis
Antiperspirants
TPN, or total parenteral nutrition, solutions

Fibromyalgia and Aluminum Toxicity

The pain that comes with fibromyalgia is basically due to an extremely high level of glucogenesis, which is the production of glucose from fats, amino acids and other non-carbohydrate substances. This is the production of glucose and occurs due to the body’s demand for energy and when this glucose is not used, it results in the breakdown of muscle and the storage of fats. This, of course, is one of the primary causes of the fatigue and pain in those individuals suffering from fibromyalgia.

There is a chemical called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, that is responsible for your body’s metabolic functioning of turning sugars and fats into energy. There is some research that has revealed that individuals suffering from fibromyalgia could be deficient in the essential compounds needed for this process. These are: ADP (adenosine diphosphate, oxygen, substrate, and magnesium. When you’re body doesn’t have the adequate levels of these, you will experience depression, fatigue, and muscle pain.

There is some evidence that suggests that individuals with fibromyalgia have a magnesium deficiency as well, which is one of the primary and most crucial elements needed for the synthesis of ATP. Another factor is that this magnesium deficiency could also lead to aluminum toxicity because magnesium fights off the toxic effects of aluminum on the body. Aluminum keeps the body from absorbing and using the phosphates essential for synthesizing ATP.