Chronic Renal Failure after Ingestion of Over-the-Counter Chromium Picolinate
Authors: Walter G. Wasser
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Letters1 March 1997Chronic Renal Failure after Ingestion of Over-the-Counter Chromium PicolinateWalter G. Wasser, MD, Nathaniel S. Feldman, MD, and Vivette D. D'Agati, MDWalter G. Wasser, MDNorth General Hospital, New York, NY 10035Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032., Nathaniel S. Feldman, MDNorth General Hospital, New York, NY 10035Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032., and Vivette D. D'Agati, MDNorth General Hospital, New York, NY 10035Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-5-199703010-00019 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Chromium supplementation has recently been advocated for preventing dietary deficiency, reducing body fat, and increasing muscular mass and strength [1]. We describe a patient who developed renal failure after using over-the-counter, oral chromium picolinate, 600 µg daily for 6 weeks, for weight reduction.A 49-year-old female nurse presented to our office for evaluation of renal insufficiency. Test results had shown normal renal function 2 years earlier but now showed a blood urea nitrogen level of 74 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 5.9 mg/dL. Urinalysis showed a protein level of 30 mg/dL, trace amounts of blood, a ...References1. Harfield FL, Zucker M. Health, Sports, Performance and Nutrition. Woodland Hills, CA: Weidler Health and Fitness; 1990. Google Scholar2. Mertz W. Chromium in human nutrition: a review. J Nutrition. 1993; 123:626-33. Google Scholar3. Stearns DM, Belbruno JJ, Wetterhahn KW. A prediction of chromium (III) accumulation in humans from chromium dietary supplements. FASEB J. 1995; 9:1650-7. Google Scholar4. Press RI, Geller J. The effect of chromium picolinate on serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein fractions in human subjects. West J Med. 1990; 152:41-5. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Walter G. Wasser, MD; Nathaniel S. Feldman, MD; Vivette D. D'Agati, MDAffiliations: North General Hospital, New York, NY 10035Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032. 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