Hello Laura (again) I pulled this off the Autism/Mercury board, maybe it will help.
by Stacie
* The answers are from Andy Cutler. (he has successfully treated himself from chronic mercury toxitiy.)
> Hi,
>
> Can someone summarize the possible side effects using DMSA/ALA?
>
> Here are what I know,
>
> 1. Mercury may be pushed into brain.
A risk that is minimized by following the every 3-4 hour
administration protocol, and by avoiding ALA for a few months if there
has been recent exposure.
> 2. Minerals may be extracted from body while extracting mercury.
Incorrect.
> 3. Harmful things (different heavy metals) may get into liver or
kidney.
The kidney is safe. ALA affects body levels of copper and zinc, so
using very large quantities for a real long time can overload the
liver with those.
> Is this right or something else?
ALA also raises gluathione and cysteine levels, which can be very
unpleasant for people already high in them.