Barium

The halflife of Ba in the blood is less than 1 day, so elevated results indicate an acute or ongoing exposure. A slight trend toward increased serum calcium has been noted with Ba exposure, but may not be clinically significant. The most significant route of exposure to barium is through drinking water and food.

Barium sulfite is commonly used as a radiocontrast agent. However, it is very poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Other Ba compounds (i.e. barium carbonate, barium chloride) are more likely to cause symptoms of toxicity, including gastroenteritis, hypokalemia, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and flaccid paralysis.

Barium is used in X-ray contrast media and in some salts for enemas. Many foods contain small concentrations of barium, and it responds somewhat like calcium, magnesium, and strontium to physiological controls. Symptoms of high barium include gastrointestinal complaints, muscle weakness, facial numbness, and hypotension. Treatments for high barium include oral sodium sulfate. Serum potassium levels should also be checked and treat hypokalemia, if present.