INTRODUCTION (please read):

The information stated here is my understand of what Andy has said.  I'm quite sure I have it right, but  I'm not Andy. For what it is worth, I finally got tired of restating very basic things like dosages. Nothing personal, but I'm trying to "answer in URLs" more these days. If you'd like to hear Andy say this stuff (rather than me), you can look here: ANDY_INDEX.  While my main responsibility in this case is to pass along Andy's opinions without modifying their essence, it is also the case that I think these ideas are very worthwhile.  In other words, these are Andy's recommendations, and I think they are generally a very good idea.  [If you are not sure who Andy is, or what this is all about, ANDY_INDEX would also help with that. See section "who is Andy Cutler?"]

This information is basic, and is NOT meant to be a complete explanation. This is here as a place you can look up basic stuff,  like dosages. It is not the whole story. In particular, this file is missing information on SUPPLEMENTS to take during chelation.  Andy is very clear that supplements are important during chelation.  I have not summarized that information.  You can get a reasonable start on the topic here: ANDY_INDEX.html#supplements  Just read the items about "supplements recommended during chelation", which are located at the top of the SUPPLEMENTS section.

There is extreme disagreement about how to do mercury chelation.   This is just generally the case! It is the case "in general" about the "big" things -- and it is also the case "in specific" about the little tiny bitty details. Almost all of it is disagreed upon -- sometimes quite "hotly".  With this as background, it should come as no surprise that one can find sources (including experts) who will disagree with the recommendations given here. I assure you this is the case. That also applies to any other mercury chelation advise.  Opinions vary as to what works best, what is wise, what is dangerous, and what is foolish.  Whether you wish to follow this advise is up to you.  It's a free country.

Good wishes,
Moria

IN GENERAL:

• ALL methods of chelation and ALL chelation agents have some risk
• pay attention to your kid or yourself and what is happening. Your actual results take precedence over anyone's theories of what could happen or should happen.
• if something has bad results STOP IT
• do NOT try to chelate mercury if your child or yourself has/have any amalgam dental fillings present.

This is a somewhat complex topic, and there is not an obvious one-size-fits-all answer.  As an intro though, Andy does say the following things:

• DMSA alone followed by DMSA + ALA is a reasonable option.
• So is DMPS alone followed by DMPS + ALA.
• ALA is the only one of the common chelator agents which crosses the blood-brain-barrier, so you need to use ALA at some point in order to clear mercury from the brain.
• ALA has specific risks because it crosses the blood-brain-barrier.  It is riskier if used soon after mercury exposure (such as soon after amalgam replacement).  This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.
• ALA tends to lessen copper excretion--- so people taking ALA may have their copper levels increase. This can be a problem for people who already have high copper (which is toxic).  This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.
• DMSA is stressful to the liver. ALA is helpful to the liver.
• ALA is sulfury. (This is "good" for some and "bad" for others. If you are a "high sulfur" person, you may need to limit the ALA dose amount and/or limit sulfur foods carefully while chelating with ALA.)

• DMSA: every 4 hours,including at night
• ALA: every 3 hours, including at night.  (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)
• DMSA + ALA (together): same as ALA, every 3 hours,  including at night.  (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.)
• DMPS: every 8 hours
• DMPS + ALA (together): same as ALA, every 3 hours,  including at night.  (You can stretch it to every 4 hours at night if it helps you get a little more sleep, but go back to every 3 hours during the day.). Use 1/2 as much DMPS per dose.
• It is generally okay to take a dose SOONER, if this is more convenient.  For instance, it is fine to take the next dose of ALA after 2.5 hours rather than 3.  If you do this, be sure to adjust the time of the next following dose so that it is taken within 3 hours. (Don't accidentally leave it till 3.5 hours later because of the "early" dose). All dose guidelines are about the LONGEST you can go between doses. Shorter is okay.

• DMSA (alone or in combination with ALA): 1/8 to 1/2 mg of DMSA per pound of body weight, per dose
• ALA (alone or in combination with DMSA): 1/8 to 1/2 mg of ALA per pound of body weight, per dose
• DMPS (alone): 1/4 to 1 mg of DMPS per pound of body weight, per dose (every 8 hours)
• DMPS (with ALA, given twice as often as when used alone): use 1/2 the amount stated above (which is 1/8 to 1/2 mg per pound of body weight, per dose, every 3-4 hours)

• A 1:1 ratio seems to work fine.  A ratio between 1:2 and 2:1 is best.

• at least a few days on. Three days on or more is recommended. 2.6 days on is acceptable. (3 entire daytimes and the 2 nights in between = 2.6 days.) (Also, Friday after school until Monday morning = 2.6 days.)  Less is getting "iffy".
• at least as many days off as you had on
• There is not an obvious one-size-fits-all answer.  The following are all reasonable options: 3 days on, 4 days off.   OR  3 days on 11 days off .  Many other options are also reasonable.
• Two weeks on at most.

• for DMSA: at least 4 days
• for ALA: at least 3 months. ALA has specific risks because it crosses the blood-brain-barrier.  It is riskier if used soon after mercury exposure (such as soon after amalgam replacement).  This should be considered in deciding when to use ALA.