Ahner Medical Center has been providing Chelation Therapy since 1982 and has successfully performed thousands of Chelation Therapy treatments. Chelation Therapy is a powerful treatment for vascular disease; however, we realize there are multiple factors in health and we provide a truly comprehensive approach to wellness.

The first visit with Dr. Ahner will be to evaluate your past history, look at the medical records that you have brought with you, perform a physical examination, and discuss how Chelation Therapy may benefit your condition. Dr. Ahner believes that all patients should understand their problems and how Chelation Therapy might be part  of their program. If you decide that Chelation Therapy is right for you, you will then be scheduled for necessary testing and begin chelation as soon as possible.

The testing to be performed will vary with patients depending upon the severity of the condition and on the testing that has been performed prior to your consultation. Most patients who come to the office will have had significant testing performed; however, it may be necessary to discuss additional vascular testing. Dr. Ahner does not use invasive procedures (such as angiograms and cardiac catheterizations), and prefers that noninvasive testing (such as ultrasound or Doppler studies) are performed.

Blood and urine testing are necessary to perform proper Chelation Therapy. These tests are designed to look at various aspects of the body chemistries that are important in providing chelation therapy that is safe as well as maximally effective.

Chelation Therapy by its definition removes metals and minerals from the body. It is necessary, therefore, that a thorough mineral and metal evaluation be determined at the start of your chelation. This is accomplished by measuring the metals and minerals in the urine by a 24-hour urine collection. This gives us measurements of the deficiencies and/or excesses of not only the toxic elements (such as lead, cadmium, and mercury), but also the beneficial nutrients (such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, etc.).  It is important to determine the functional capacity of the kidneys. This is best done by measuring the creatinine clearance in the 24-hour urine sample. This is the most sensitive test for determining true kidney function. A comprehensive blood analysis; which includes function of the liver, blood fats, thyroid function, proteins, electrolytes, red and white blood cells, and  iron levels, will be performed.

The day of the first chelation, or before, blood testing will be performed to appraise such things as clotting factors, evaluation of the antioxidant system, inflammatory and infectious agents, and more. Testing will vary with the needs of the patient. This testing not only provides us with information about the body chemistries that are involved in vascular disease and aging, but the effect chelation therapy has upon the body. This testing gives us a method of evaluating our patients periodically to determine the number of treatments that may be required and progress made.

On approximately your fourth or fifth chelation treatment, Dr. Ahner or his staff will discuss your testing with you and help determine your need for vitamin and mineral supplements. They will discuss your diet if necessary, and discuss what retesting may be necessary. The normal procedure is to retest the abnormal values on approximately the nineteenth chelation.

During your chelation, you are always welcome to discuss any problems and progress with our staff.