Ann Clin Biochem. 2001 Jul; 38(Pt 4): 408-10.

Herbal remedy poisoning presenting with acute abdomen and raised urine porphyrins.

Anderson NR, Gama R, Kapadia S.

Department of Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK. neil.anderson@rwh-tr.wmids.nhs.uk

We describe a case of lead poisoning due to herbal remedies, presenting with an acute abdomen, raised porphyrins and increased liver enzyme activities. We suggest that lead poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the 'acute abdomen', and that the presence of liver dysfunction points to the possibility of Asian herbal remedies as the source of the lead poisoning.