Eur J Intern Med. 2002 Dec; 13(8): 518-520.

Chromium-induced toxic hepatitis.

LanÃ§a S, Alves A, Vieira AI, Barata J, de Freitas J, de Carvalho A.

Hospital Garcia de Orta, Av. Torrado Silva, 2800, Almada, Portugal

A clinical case of acute hepatitis in a patient undergoing an alternative medicine weight-reduction regimen is reported. Chromium polynicotinate had been ingested in combination with vegetable extracts over a 5-month period. Liver biopsy was compatible with toxic hepatitis and greatly elevated hepatic chromium levels were found (>10x normal). The clinical picture regressed following suspension of the medication.