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Discussion on Testing for cyanide poisoning
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Member:
lynnland
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 - 8:14 pm:
Hi Dr. O,
Just wondering how one might test for cyanide poisoning as a result of plant ingestion. I took a look through the existing info and couldn't seem to find anything.
Thanks
Lynn
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Nov 23, 2009 - 8:36 am:
Hello Lynn,
Usually the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning is made from clinical signs related to asphyxiation at the cellular level (rapid breathing, coma, convulsions, death) and a history of exposure to a likely food source, like frosted Johnson grass (Sudan sp.).
I did find this information on a Health and Human Resource Site:
There are medical tests to measure blood and urine levels of cyanide; however, small amounts of cyanide are always detectable in blood and urine. Tissue levels of cyanide can be measured if cyanide poisoning is suspected, but cyanide is rapidly cleared from the body, so the tests must be done soon after the exposure.
DrO
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