Canadian Woman Develops Lead Poisoning from Infertility Supplements, Prompts Seizure of Contaminated Products
A Canadian woman’s attempt to treat her infertility has taken a dangerous turn as doctors reveal she developed lead poisoning from taking supplements filled with the toxic metal. The case, detailed in a paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, has prompted authorities to seize other contaminated products from the woman’s alternative medicine provider.
The 39-year-old woman had visited the emergency department three times over a span of six weeks with symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. After being admitted to the hospital for anemia and possible gastrointestinal bleeding, tests ruled out the bleeding and her anemia improved after blood transfusions. However, she continued to feel sick and fatigued, leading her to seek care from one of the report authors.
During her visit, the woman disclosed that she had been taking remedies provided by a practitioner of Ayurveda, a system of alternative medicine that originated in India. She had been taking these remedies daily for over a year in hopes of treating her infertility. Following this revelation, the doctors decided to test her for lead poisoning and found that her blood lead levels were over 25 times higher than expected. The doctors failed to identify any other likely sources of lead exposure besides the Ayurvedic remedies. Upon agreeing to stop taking the medication, the woman was placed on chelation therapy.
The case prompted officials with Public Health Ontario to conduct their own investigation. They found high levels of lead in most of the products provided by the woman. Federal and local health officials were brought in to investigate the clinic where she had purchased the products. They discovered that the clinic had violated Canada’s regulations on selling alternative and natural health products and seized hundreds of pills. Subsequent testing revealed that some products contained high levels of arsenic, mercury, or lead, while others contained unlabeled prescription drugs.
Ayurveda remains popular in countries such as Canada and the United States, despite weak evidence supporting its claimed benefits. The herbal remedies and supplements recommended by practitioners are often less regulated than conventional medicine, increasing the risk of dangerous ingredients entering the supply chain. Lead, in particular, appears to be a persistent contaminant in these treatments. A previous study found that approximately 20% of Ayurvedic pills purchased online from U.S. manufacturers contained lead, mercury, or arsenic.
Health officials first alerted the public about the clinic, called Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation, and its tainted products in November 2021. Advising customers to stop using the products, officials have not provided any recent updates on the situation. The business was reportedly closed when visited in late November 2021.
Fortunately, the woman has responded well to treatment. She reported feeling less fatigued and experiencing no nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain during follow-up visits. Her lead levels continued to decrease up to a year later.
The authors of the paper stressed the importance of collaboration between clinicians and public health authorities to control the health risks associated with lead in consumer products, particularly in the case of Ayurvedic medicines. This case serves as a reminder of the risks and clinical manifestations of lead toxicity from such remedies.