Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Most people with lead poisoning don't present any symptoms at all, resulting in the vast majority of cases going undiagnosed. It's not until a dangerous amount of lead has built up in the body that many of the signs and symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and pain begin to appear. Learn what to look for.

Frequent Symptoms 

Because lead poisoning builds up over time, symptoms are often not as immediate or as recognizable as you would get with an infectious disease like a cold or the flu.

That being said, there are a few things that could indicate a person has lead poisoning. These include: 

• Decreased cognitive abilities, especially reduced ability to focus on, learn, and remember new things
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Abdominal pain or "stomach aches" 
• Headache
• Constipation 
• Loss of appetite
• Tingling in the hands or feet

It's important to note that exposure to even low amounts of lead can affect how a person thinks, learns, and grows. For that reason, there is no level of lead that is considered to be safe—especially for young children.

Many of these symptoms are also general and can be caused for various reasons, which is why it's important to visit a healthcare provider if you notice any changes. in most cases, it's likely nothing serious, but still important to get checked out.

Rare Symptoms

The more lead a person is exposed to, and the more time they are exposed to it, the greater the severity of the symptoms. In rare cases, individuals can develop a purplish discoloration along the gums, commonly referred to as "lead lines," after prolonged exposure to large amounts of lead.

Other symptoms that can be seen after moderate or high doses of lead include:

• Constipation
• Tremors
• Unintentional weight loss
• Vomiting
• Severe abdominal cramping 
• Loss of consciousness
• Nerve damage, include muscle weakness and paralysis 
• Brain injury, which can cause seizures or loss of consciousness

Complications 

Lead exposure over a long period of time can significantly—and sometimes irreparably—affect different systems in the human body, including the nervous, circulatory, and reproductive systems, as well as the bones and kidneys. This may result in potentially serious issues, such as: 

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease 
• Kidney failure 
• Infertility
• Cancer

This is why prevention is so important, as well as diagnosis for proper treatment.

Children Under Age 6

Children are of particular concern for lead poisoning because their brains are still developing. Too much exposure to lead during early childhood can cause development issues, including damage to their developing nervous systems, intelligence, and behavior.

This can lead to challenges at school, growth delays, and behavioral issues. Research has shown that kids with a blood lead level of 5 µg/dL (five micrograms per deciliter) had an IQ roughly 6 points lower than their peers on average.

Pregnant People  

If a pregnant person is exposed to lead, it can cross the placental barrier and potentially cause damage to the fetus.

In some cases, it can also lead to miscarriages or stillbirths.

When to See a Healthcare Provider 

Any delay in treatment could lead to severe and lifelong health issues, especially in young children.

The healthcare provider will likely ask questions about sources of lead in your home, school, or workplace. Common sources of lead exposure include lead paint in homes built before 1978, some water pipes, toys, jewelry, traditional home remedies, and jobs and hobbies where lead-based products are used.

They will check for physical signs of lead poisoning, including running a blood test. When speaking with your healthcare provider, be sure to mention any cognitive or behavioral changes you've noticed, including difficulties focusing or being more irritable than normal.

Currently, health officials recommend all kids—even those who probably haven't been exposed to high levels of lead—be screened by ages 12 and 15 months to test their blood for high levels of lead.