Blood Disorders Lead Poisoning Guide Lead Poisoning Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Symptoms of Lead Poisoning By Robyn Correll, MPH Robyn Correll, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Robyn Correll, MPH holds a master of public health degree and has over a decade of experience working in the prevention of infectious diseases. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 07, 2021 Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO Michael Menna, DO, is board-certified in emergency medicine. He is an attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York and also works at an urgent care center and a telemedicine company that provides care to patients across the country. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor Frequently Asked Questions Next in Lead Poisoning Guide Causes and Risk Factors 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. Illustration by Joshua Seong. © Verywell, 2018. 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. How quickly they appear—if they appear at all—and how obvious they are when they do will depend on the person, and many of the symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to other things, making them easy to overlook or dismiss. 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 thingsFatigueIrritabilityAbdominal pain or "stomach aches" HeadacheConstipation Loss of appetiteTingling 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: ConstipationTremorsUnintentional weight lossVomitingSevere abdominal cramping Loss of consciousnessNerve 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 pressureHeart disease Kidney failure InfertilityCancer Certain groups are also more susceptible than others to the effects of lead poisoning, most notably young children and pregnant women. 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 Women If a pregnant woman is exposed to lead, it can cross the placental barrier and potentially cause damage to the growing, unborn child. Even small amounts of lead exposure can affect a baby's intelligence and behavior later in life. 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. Because most cases of lead poisoning don't have any symptoms, don't wait until they appear to talk to your practitioner if you suspect lead poisoning or even exposure to lead. He or she will likely ask questions about sources of lead in your home, school, or workplace, as well as 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. Frequently Asked Questions What are the symptoms of chronic lead poisoning? Chronic lead poisoning is caused by repeated low-level exposure to lead over a prolonged period of time. Common signs and symptoms include:Abdominal painNauseaHeadacheFatigueShort-term memory lossDifficulty concentratingMood changes, including depression and stuporSlurringNumbness and tingling in the extremitiesLoss of coordinationAn unhealthy, grayish skin pallorA blue line along the gums (called a Burton line)A bluish-black edging to teeth What are the symptoms of acute lead poisoning? Acute lead poisoning is caused by an intense exposure to lead over a short period of time. Symptoms include:Abdominal painNausea or vomitingDiarrhea or constipationLoss of appetiteMetallic tasteGeneralized painMuscle weaknessPins and needles sensations What are the signs of lead poisoning in children? Because of their smaller size, children are more likely to develop symptoms sooner and show more profound neurological signs, such as irritability, learning difficulties, sluggishness, clumsiness, hearing loss, and pica (eating non-food substances like dirt or paint chips). Developmental delays and seizures are also possible. Can lead poisoning harm a pregnancy? Yes. Lead poisoning during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. It can slow growth and weight gain in newborns and may cause damage to the child’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Conversely, lead poisoning can lower the sperm count and make it difficult to conceive. What are the long-term consequences of lead poisoning? Even low levels of exposure can lead to kidney damage and hypertension and contribute to the onset of coronary artery disease. Exposure during childhood or pregnancy is linked to learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and antisocial behaviors. In adults, chronic lead exposure is linked to psychiatric problems and a decline in cognitive function. Are the symptoms of lead poisoning reversible? With chelation therapy (using agents that bind to lead and remove it from the body in urine), the effects of lead poisoning on the kidneys and blood may be reversed. However, damage to the brain and nervous system may be irreversible. Can lead poisoning cause cancer? Lead is a possible carcinogen, although studies are mixed as to the actual risk of cancer and at what level of exposure the risk increases. A 2012 study involving 4,114 lead workers reported that at levels of 30 μg/dL—three times the upper limit set by the CDC—the risk of esophageal cancer was increased by seven-fold (although no difference was seen with any other cancer type). Can lead poisoning kill you? Yes. Lead exposure worldwide is believed to cause over 500,000 deaths annually, mostly in the developing world. At high levels of exposure, lead poisoning can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation), leading to seizures, coma, and death from cardiorespiratory arrest. Chronic lead poisoning is associated with a reduced life expectancy, mainly due to heart disease. Causes and Risk Factors of Lead Poisoning 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Lead Exposure in Children. World Health Organization. Lead poisoning and health. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Lead. Council on Environmental Health. Prevention of childhood lead toxicity. Pediatrics. 2016;138(1). doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1493 Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA. Lead toxicity: a review. Interdiscipl Toxicol. 2015;8(2):55-64. doi:10.1515/intox-2015-0009 Breyre A, Green-McKenzie J. Case of acute lead toxicity associated with Ayurvedic supplements. BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016215041. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-215041 Hauptman M, Bruccoleri R, Woolf AD. An update on childhood lead poisoning. Clin Pediat Emerg Med. 2017;18(3):181-92. doi:10.1016/j.cpem.2017.07.010 Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Substance data sheet for occupational exposure to lead. Gwini S, MacFarlane E, Del Monaco A, et al. Cancer incidence, mortality, and blood lead levels among workers exposed to inorganic lead. Ann Epidemiol. 2012;22(4):270-6. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2012.01.003 Lanphear BP, Rauch S, Auinger P, Allen RW, Hornung RW. Low-level lead exposure and mortality in US adults: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Pub Health. 2018;3(4):e177-e184. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30025-2 By Robyn Correll, MPH Robyn Correll, MPH holds a master of public health degree and has over a decade of experience working in the prevention of infectious diseases. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit