How many of you get a blood test every year? - Page 3

Tom G · October 21st, 2009, 10:25 PM

I poured lead to make bullets for about ten years and it never thought about a blood test for lead.I will ask for a lead test on my next check up. Thanks for the post.

nedrgr21 · October 21st, 2009, 10:25 PM

Hardlivin - problem is drinking on the range, residue on your hands, and breathing on the range.

Scott · October 21st, 2009, 10:33 PM

When I ran a range I did. Never highers than a 4-5 level. So I was fine. I was fastidious about cleanup when working with everything on the range. Gloves aren't a bad idea.

As for treatment, the only treatment I know of is avoidance of the source of the contamination. As noted you will process the lead out slowly. You will need to return for a level check before resuming the activity. You may also want to identify how your levels became elevated.

AutoFan · October 22nd, 2009, 01:43 AM

Don't forget to wear gloves while cleaning your guns, as the combo of lead and solvents can accelerate absorption into the body.

Thumper · October 22nd, 2009, 04:42 AM

Good scoop Bunster!

I'm guilty of going from shooting straight to a fast food joint... I'm going to both add a way to wash after shooting and ask the Dr. to check if I have lead anywhere besides my butt!

orangevol · October 22nd, 2009, 02:56 PM

Been told to get the lead out of my

Maybe some relevance here???

BaserRonin · October 22nd, 2009, 03:04 PM

I get mine tested as part of my annual physical. I am normally at a 3, and I do a fair amount of casting. I was at a 4 once, but I went and donated blood. Was at a 3 again next time.

Thanks for the heads up, but the lead exposure thing is mostly a greeny scare tactic. You have to be exposed to a lot of lead, as in drinking from lead crystal or out of lead pipes, for years before it becomes an issue. I still have the doc run a lead test every year though...

Edit: be prepared for the doctor to ask you why you think you need to be tested. Every new doc I have had has asked me why I think I have been exposed to lead. My normal response is NOYFB, run the test please.

Bunny · October 22nd, 2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaserRonin

I get mine tested as part of my annual physical. I am normally at a 3, and I do a fair amount of casting. I was at a 4 once, but I went and donated blood. Was at a 3 again next time.

Thanks for the heads up, but the lead exposure thing is mostly a greeny scare tactic. You have to be exposed to a lot of lead, as in drinking from lead crystal or out of lead pipes, for years before it becomes an issue. I still have the doc run a lead test every year though...

Edit: be prepared for the doctor to ask you why you think you need to be tested. Every new doc I have had has asked me why I think I have been exposed to lead. My normal response is NOYFB, run the test please.

I dunno about it being Greeny, our NRA instructor taught us this when we were going through instructor training, and there are a few RSOs here who will tell folks the same thing. I think more because it's something that you just don't really think about, but it's a possibility, so it forces folks to think more about hygiene and stuff. But that's just my own theory.

My son and I have the same family physician. We went in for our physicals together last month. I said "By the way, now that I'm an instructor, I'd like to have a lead panel run as well. Junior too. We shoot together often, and it's probably a good idea." He said "Oh, absolutely, good idea, I'll add that to the panel."

*shrug*

He's a pretty cool doc. :)

Bunny · October 22nd, 2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaserRonin

My normal response is NOYFB, run the test please.

That works, too!

buckeyeLCPL · October 22nd, 2009, 04:22 PM

I have blood tests run a few times a year, part of the job requirements. I don't know if the military tests for lead though, I'm gonna have to ask the docs about that one. It would seem like a good thing to check for with us grunts, since proper hygiene isn't always possible in the field. Thanks for the tip Bunny.

October 21st, 2009, 10:33 PM	#23
Scott Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Old Dominion Posts: 4,863	When I ran a range I did. Never highers than a 4-5 level. So I was fine. I was fastidious about cleanup when working with everything on the range. Gloves aren't a bad idea. As for treatment, the only treatment I know of is avoidance of the source of the contamination. As noted you will process the lead out slowly. You will need to return for a level check before resuming the activity. You may also want to identify how your levels became elevated. __________________ Obamamessiah... Let the miracles begin!!!

October 22nd, 2009, 04:42 AM	#25
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,586	Good scoop Bunster! I'm guilty of going from shooting straight to a fast food joint... I'm going to both add a way to wash after shooting and ask the Dr. to check if I have lead anywhere besides my butt! __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

October 22nd, 2009, 02:56 PM	#26
orangevol Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southwest, TN Posts: 563	Been told to get the lead out of my Maybe some relevance here??? __________________ Proud NRA member

October 22nd, 2009, 04:22 PM	#30
buckeyeLCPL VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Somestanplace Posts: 2,989	I have blood tests run a few times a year, part of the job requirements. I don't know if the military tests for lead though, I'm gonna have to ask the docs about that one. It would seem like a good thing to check for with us grunts, since proper hygiene isn't always possible in the field. Thanks for the tip Bunny. __________________ Fortes Fortuna Juvat We're mules lad. Mules that kill. TJR

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October 21st, 2009, 10:25 PM	#21
Tom G VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,049	I poured lead to make bullets for about ten years and it never thought about a blood test for lead.I will ask for a lead test on my next check up. Thanks for the post.

October 21st, 2009, 10:25 PM	#22
nedrgr21 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KCMO Posts: 556	Hardlivin - problem is drinking on the range, residue on your hands, and breathing on the range.

October 22nd, 2009, 01:43 AM	#24
AutoFan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 1,143	Don't forget to wear gloves while cleaning your guns, as the combo of lead and solvents can accelerate absorption into the body.

October 22nd, 2009, 03:04 PM	#27
BaserRonin Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 275	I get mine tested as part of my annual physical. I am normally at a 3, and I do a fair amount of casting. I was at a 4 once, but I went and donated blood. Was at a 3 again next time. Thanks for the heads up, but the lead exposure thing is mostly a greeny scare tactic. You have to be exposed to a lot of lead, as in drinking from lead crystal or out of lead pipes, for years before it becomes an issue. I still have the doc run a lead test every year though... Edit: be prepared for the doctor to ask you why you think you need to be tested. Every new doc I have had has asked me why I think I have been exposed to lead. My normal response is NOYFB, run the test please.