Rare association between hepatotoxicity and sideroblastic anaemia after taking Garcinia cambogia-based dietary supplement.

We report a rare case of lead poisoning after taking a dietary supplement which was bought online. A woman in her 60s presented with symptomatic anaemia and hepatitis for 2 weeks. Bone marrow examination showed sideroblastic anaemia and subsequent blood tests confirmed lead poisoning. She was successfully treated with a course of the chelating agent succimer. Further history and investigations showed that she had taken a Garcinia cambogia (GC)-based multi-ingredients dietary supplement in the form of capsules for weight reduction and that the lead content within the capsules was very high. Our case illustrates that hepatotoxicity can be associated with the use of dietary supplements. Moreover, blood lead levels should be checked when there is associated sideroblastic anaemia.