Over-the-Counter Chromium and Renal Failure

Acute Tubular Necrosis Associated with Chromium Picolinate–Containing Dietary Supplement

“…Renal biopsy revealed severe, chronic active interstitial nephritis consistent with heavy metal exposure. 15 The second patient developed toxicities similar to those described with hexavalent chromium toxicity (thrombocytopenia, toxic hepatitis, renal failure) after being exposed to chromium 1200 -2400 µg/day for 4 -5 months and was using the supplement at the time of presentation. Hemodialysis was effective for chromium removal.…”

“…Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were 4.1 mg/dL (0.5-1.4) and 28 mg/dL (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), respectively. Serum albumin, calcium, and phosphorus levels were 4.9 g/dL (3.7-5.1), 9 mg/dL (8.5-10.4), and 6.7 mg/dL (2.5-4.5), respectively.…”

Scientific Opinion on the safety of chromium picolinate as a source of chromium added for nutritional purposes to foodstuff for particular nutritional uses and to foods intended for the general population

“…In addition, a number of literature reviews on the safety and efficacy of chromium picolinate and other trivalent chromium supplements have been published. There are several case studies, clinical studies and volunteer studies performed with chromium picolinate reporting different kind of effects, but these are not suitable for safety assessment (Wasser et al, 1997;Mennen, 1997;Michenfelder et al, 1997;Cerulli et al, 1998;Martin and Fuller, 1998;Kato et al, 1998;Campbell et al, 1997;Pittler et al, 2003;Jeejeebhoy 1999;Anderson, 1997;Lamson and Plaza, 2002;Yeh et al, 2003;Finch et al, 2004;IOM, 2004). Points of concern, in a few case studies, were possible impairment of the kidney function and rhabdomyolysis, although due to pivotal confounding factors these studies were not conclusive.…”