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High Cobalt Chromium levels
I have a MOM THR in 2003 - Depuy Pinnacle . I'm now 70. While I knew about potentials of Metalosis, I never had any symptoms so I was never tested. Jan 2024 my hip squeaked for a week, then went away. I'm very active and no weakness or other symptoms. I went to a recommended Ortho in Chicago area - since my original surgeon retired. I was tested and Cobalt/Chromium came back 22.6/15.5 ng/mL. I also had a MRI - which showed no abnormal issues. The decision was to wait a year and test again - which I did this month- the Cobalt/Chromium came back 11/11 ng/mL. - the results went down(both were done at the same lab in NC (lab corp of america). Still no other symptoms and squeaking never came back. I haven't met with my doctor again yet - presuming we'd do a wait another year plan again. I have several questions 1) Is it logical that my Cobalt Chromium went down - without doing anything? 2) Does it matter where blood tests are done? 3) Can other things affect blood tests - I don't take any medications. And stopped my Vitamin D the week before the blood test.
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Hi, are you still emotionally distraught?
I have consults with two if the best and working on getting two more
Thank you.
I know it’s been a few months since you posted this originally; but I’m responding to the part about your levels going down. I had a metal implant in my hip in 2010. I’ve been testing for metallosis ever since. I was surprised that my cobalt did go down in January. My levels are relatively low , for now, comparatively, but my cobalt went from 1.3 down to a reading of .9 which surprised me. My chromium has gone down from 1.1 to 1.0 previously; but sadly, it is 3.2 this month.
@hurkey it sounds like there might be an issue with your implant! I’m no specialist and could be 100% wrong! I would research your implant to see if there is a call back and/or class action suit! Perhaps even a second test to confirm if prior test might have been incorrect! Is your implant medal on medal? Even a ceramic implant can wear through!
@hurkey Do you take a daily multivitamin? Many of them have a pretty high dose of chromium. If not, try taking the supplement NAC for a month or so and try another blood test. NAC helped reduce my levels that weren’t that high to begin with.
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1 Reaction@closer0043 thank you for the tip; I will try NAC.
@dannyandebbie thank you for your words; I know that I have metal on metal hip replacement implement. I’m tested regularly since the surgery in 2010. Thank you!
@closer0043 I have a question if you don’t mind. Have you succeeded in keeping your cobalt and chromium levels down by taking NAC? Or did you have to pursue other methods?
@closer0043 may I ask how you’re doing now? I see in August 2025 you were waiting for results of cobalt and chromium after your resurfacing and one hip replacement. Would you mind sharing your levels and current condition now? i’m interested because of your suggestion of NAC; I plan to take your advice and try it. But I’m curious after six months now how you are doing. Thank you so much.
@hurkey Sorry I haven’t tested them since they went down originally after taking NAC for just a few weeks. I was recently diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm, and that issue has dominated most of my concern these days. Plus, the lab that I used for testing has recently closed and moved an hour and a half away so I’m looking for a new lab. My doctors won’t test me since my numbers were never that high. According to my original test my chromium was 2.0 and cobalt 2.4 with normal being under 1.2 & 1.8. After just a few weeks the chromium went down to 1.7 & Cobalt dropped to normal at 1.5. If I test again I will update this post.
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