The number of years you can live with mild thallium poisoning is determined by the dose ingested and the way you respond. Generally speaking, thallium poisoning does not lead to sudden death of the patient. After an incubation period, thallium poisoning will gradually lead to digestive and neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and systemic symptoms. These symptoms are very pronounced and with timely intervention and effective treatment, most patients are able to recover with little impact on their natural life expectancy.
However, some cases of thallium poisoning are caused by work, the environment, through skin contact, respiratory inhalation, etc., or enter the body as a result of medication for other diseases. In this case, the physical damage caused by thallium poisoning is insidious and long-lasting.
Trace amounts of thallium compounds accumulate in the body and may progress to the point of irreparable damage without the patient’s knowledge. Such patients may die within weeks, or may live with the disease for decades.