Because most of the toxic chemicals involved are lipophyllic (fat soluble), they become stored in the body’s fat, resistant to metabolism and excretion. In fact, the chemical levels measured from fat biopsies are sometimes 300 times greater than the circulating serum levels.
How can I tell if I am sensitive to chemicals?
The diagnosis of chemical sensitivity is achieved by taking a thorough patient history including occupational, home, and environmental exposures, diet, medications, and personal care items. The timing of symptoms to exposure, reproducibility of the symptoms, spreading, and switching must all be investigated. Serum levels of suspected chemicals confirm the diagnosis. If serum levels are negative and suspicion is high, a fat biopsy must be performed and often cinches the diagnosis. Additionally, chemical challenge tests can demonstrate the cause-and-effect relationship between a chemical exposure and symptoms. A brain SPECT scan calibrated for chemical sensitivity can demonstrate classic patterns of cerebral bloodflow and brain neuron function aberrations.
Evaluation of end-organ disease is accomplished through pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays, liver function tests, thyroid function tests with antibodies, adrenal evaluation with antibodies, urinalysis, blood chemistry, endoscopy, cystoscopy, etc. depending on the symptoms involved.
How can I tell if I am sensitive to chemicals?
The diagnosis of chemical sensitivity is achieved by taking a thorough patient history including occupational, home, and environmental exposures, diet, medications, and personal care items. The timing of symptoms to exposure, reproducibility of the symptoms, spreading, and switching must all be investigated. Serum levels of suspected chemicals confirm the diagnosis. If serum levels are negative and suspicion is high, a fat biopsy must be performed and often cinches the diagnosis. Additionally, chemical challenge tests can demonstrate the cause-and-effect relationship between a chemical exposure and symptoms. A brain SPECT scan calibrated for chemical sensitivity can demonstrate classic patterns of cerebral bloodflow and brain neuron function aberrations.
Evaluation of end-organ disease is accomplished through pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays, liver function tests, thyroid function tests with antibodies, adrenal evaluation with antibodies, urinalysis, blood chemistry, endoscopy, cystoscopy, etc. depending on the symptoms involved.