Controversial Autism Treatments
The Lupron Protocol and IV Chelation are Two Extreme Options
Jun 12, 2009
As autism’s prevalence has grown over the last decade, the treatment options have also grown. This growth is likely due, in part, to the increase in research of autism spectrum disorders. While many of the newer treatments have been widely accepted by parents, professionals, and researchers, there are also a few extremely controversial autism treatments currently being marketed to parents.
There are several commonalities among some of the more controversial autism treatment options including a lack of comprehensive scientific support and the marketing of the specific treatment as a cure for autism. At this point in time, there is no known cure for autism and researchers are not certain that autism is something that can even be cured.
The Lupron Protocol
According to the Drug Information Online website, Lupron is a synthetic hormone that can reduce the amount of testosterone produced in males. It also has the same effect on estrogen production in women. Lupron is commonly used to treat endometriosis or uterine fibroids in women, to address the symptoms of prostate cancer in men, and it is also used in the treatment of precocious puberty in both male and female children.
Now, Lupron is used to treat autism symptoms as part of the Lupron Protocol. The Lupron Protocol is a product of the father and son team of Mark and David Geier. The concept behind the Lupron Protocol is a bit complicated but the thought is that mercury from vaccines binds to the testosterone in a child’s body. Due to this binding, traditional chelation does not work to rid the body of mercury and cure the child of his autism.
Since Lupron works to reduce the production of testosterone in male patients, the thought is that the combination of the Lupron Protocol and chelation therapy will allow the body to rid itself of this toxic mercury and thus the child will recover from his autism.
The Geiers have appeared at several autism conferences, included those sponsored by the U.S. Autism & Asperger Association (USAAA) to discuss the benefit of their protocol. Despite their research and findings, the pair is being criticized for their flawed studies and possibly endangering the children that utilize the Lupron Protocol.
IV Chelation Therapy
Another one of the more controversial autism treatment options is IV chelation therapy. While many parents and doctors have reported success with the use of IV chelation, some children have actually died and these deaths have caused an uproar.
Intravenous chelation is used to rid the body of mercury, likely from thimerosal containing vaccinations. Just as described in the Lupron Protocol section, once the toxic mercury is removed from the person’s body, the autism symptoms lessen or completely disappear.
The controversy surrounding chelation therapy is two-fold – the treatment itself is challenged as an extreme measure but the science that it is based on is also controversial. Multiple reports have been published that claim there is no solid, scientific link between vaccines, mercury, and autism.
Due to concerns over the safety of IV chelation, the National Institute of Mental Health cancelled a study into the efficacy of chelation citing safety concerns.
As with all autism treatments, parents looking for information on these two controversial options will find parents and professionals who have nothing but good things to say. It is important that parents make an educated and informed decision about any autism treatment or therapy option and that they consult their child’s doctor prior to starting any new treatments.
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