Sorry to hear about the elevated lead levels you have Hilly. I hope your doctor is considering chelation to remove excess lead. Here is a bit I could find about elevated lead levels and adults. I think we older folks were exposed to leaded gasoline growing up. Doubtless some of the levels come from exposure to lead as a child since children more easily absorb lead. Your levels may have already had a foundation from that time. Perhaps your home was built where there are excessive levels of lead in the soil. Or the pipes have lead solder. Dishes and some paints used on them(this has been a problem with some pottery originating in places such as China) may have excessive lead in them and so does leaded crystal.
I fairly sure that heavy metals are connected to our symptoms and any reduction will help the body to heal, if only by taking a burden off it. In my own case I have seen improvement from sweating out toxins in a far infrared sauna.
Thanks for your good luck wishes on this journey towards wellness. I think I am having some success with my doctor's treatment which is for viral infections. This is helping to dry up a few small lesions on my back. I am not sure but I think some of the fatigue and brain fog is lifting as well. So it is another step in the right direction. I hope that your doctor will help you with the excess lead levels you currently have. That certainly will contribute to brain fog. From my experience so far I think that viral infections do as well.
Lead poisoning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pathways
Today almost everyone is exposed to environmental lead. Exposure to lead and lead chemicals can occur through inhalation, ingestion or occasionally dermal contact. Lead mining and lead smelting are common in many countries, where children and adults can receive substantial lead exposure from sources uncommon today in the U.S. Most countries will have phased out use of leaded gasoline by 2007. Lead exposure in the general population (including children) occurs primarily through ingestion, although inhalation also contributes to lead body burden and may be the major contributor for workers in lead-related occupations. Inhalation is the second major pathway of exposure. Almost all inhaled lead is absorbed into the body, whereas from 20% to 70% of ingested lead is absorbed (with children generally absorbing a higher percentage than adults do). Dermal exposure plays a role for exposure to organic lead among workers, but is not considered a significant pathway for the general population, except in areas where leaded gasoline is used. Organic lead from gasoline additives may be absorbed directly through the skin
Adults
Although children are at greater risk from lead exposure, adult exposures can also result in harmful health effects. Most adult exposures are occupational and occur in lead-related industries such as lead smelting, refining, and manufacturing industries. One frequent source of lead exposure to adults is home renovation that involves scraping, remodeling, or otherwise disturbing lead-based paint. Adults can also be exposed during certain hobbies and activities where lead is used. Workers may inhale lead dust and lead oxide fumes, as well as eat, drink, and smoke in or near contaminated areas, thereby increasing their probability of lead ingestion. Between 0.5 and 1.5 million US workers are exposed to lead in the workplace (ATSDR, 1999). Other than the developmental effects unique to young children, the health effects experienced by adults from adult exposures are similar to those experienced by children, although the thresholds are generally higher.[36]
Lead poisoning - CNN.com
Adults who are most at risk. Adults may breathe in lead dust while remodeling a home, while working on certain jobs with lead exposure or while engaging in a hobby, such as making stained glass or refinishing furniture. If you're pregnant, take extra precautions, because lead can damage your developing baby.
CPCS: Lead Poisoning
How can we reduce our risk of lead exposure?
* If lead paint has been found in your house, eliminate contaminated dust by using a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) and water. Damp-mop floors and clean other surfaces with a cloth or sponge that will not be re-used on dishes, eating, drinking or cooking utensils.
* Block painted windowsills and moldings with heavy furniture to keep children away.
* Install vinyl siding over exterior lead painted surfaces.
* Plant grass for dust control.
* Reduce children's contact with soil if your house was built before 1978 or is near a major highway.
* Plant bushes near exterior walls to keep children away.
* Test your water for lead safety through recommendations from local water suppliers or government agencies.
* Run tap water for 60 seconds before using it whenever the water may have been standing awhile.
* Use cold water for drinking, cooking and making infant formula because it carries less lead. (Boiling the water concentrates the lead.)
* Check pottery, china and leaded glassware for lead content.