Since mercury toxicity is not a recognized condition, choosing treatment options is something like riding out in the Wild Wild West.  There are dozens of non-standard protocols.  Some sound crazy, some sound sane.  There are, in my opinion, roughly six main competing protocols not counting the custom approaches designed by naturopathic or functional doctors.

Treating mercury toxicity incorrectly can dramatically make symptoms worse or even bring about new symptoms and new illnesses.  In some cases, it can also lead to death.  So one must proceed cautiously.  Since western medicine ignores these issues, people are forced to rely on self-help solutions and want guidance.  Of course I cannot provide medical advice on a web site, especially for something so non-standard, but I can tell you what I've done myself in hopes that it proves helpful for you.

Mercury detox is a journey -- one of the most important ones you can take for lifelong health, including the health of the next generation.  Even though the topic can get overwhelming, it's well worth it.  So if you need, take it in step by step and ask for help.  There are many helpful resources online which you can find listed in the next article about detox protocols.

My approach focused on these concepts (and you don't necessarily have to dive deep if you don't want to):

• first, start by doing nothing that affects mercury because you might eventually learn that what you were doing, perhaps inadvertently, can cause harm.
• learn what NOT to do.  Andy Cutler's protocol includes an important "do not do" list.  Study it carefully.
• extend your learning by focusing first on the pitfalls of certain approaches, foods, and intravenous (IV) approaches.  The point so far is be cautious and do nothing yet.
• review all of the main detox protocols (next blog article).
• understand glutathione and the approach taken by naturopathic doctors.  Talk about everything you've learned, ask for different opinions (online, alternative doctors, books).
• discover your own genetic polymorphisms (such as MTHFR) to determine your sensitivity to mercury and gauge your ability to detox.
• (advanced) learn about your body's cytochrome p450 detox pathway that will be relied upon by some protocols to usher mercury out of your body.
• learn what the mercury symptoms are so you can recognize them and recognize the progress of treatment and the benefits when the symptoms disappear.
• learn the biochemistry behind mercury toxicity so you can combat the effects with diet and supplements.  This sounds advanced, but it's not really.  Andy Cutler's "core-4" is a great place to start.
• learn the FDA regulations that restrict some of the current options.
• get help, ask for advice, and consider it all.
• and finally decide what detox approach to take.

If you've been affected by mercury, your biological consultation will go into all these details.

The next article (Part III) reviews the protocols.