Hip revision due to metal on metal ions.

I have to say…I went back for my 1st follow-up post rev….6 months later. I had found in my release papers (from rev surgery) orders for another blood test (for metal). I didn’t know I had them, when I showed the dr. @ follow-up appt, he said I didn’t need them!!

You might need to be an advocate for yourself - if you are still having symptoms this long, have them check your blood to see if your body is adequately eliminating the chromium and cobalt. You should start feeling better as your body heals...
Another issue that has surfaced over time with the heavy metal poisoning from hip implants is thyroid changes - your TSH, free T3 & free T4 should be checked for irregularities.
Finally, you could try to get your primary provider to order the tests.

Let me know if you can get these tests ordered - you may well be dealing with some things that can be resolved.
Sue

You might need to be an advocate for yourself - if you are still having symptoms this long, have them check your blood to see if your body is adequately eliminating the chromium and cobalt. You should start feeling better as your body heals...
Another issue that has surfaced over time with the heavy metal poisoning from hip implants is thyroid changes - your TSH, free T3 & free T4 should be checked for irregularities.
Finally, you could try to get your primary provider to order the tests.

Let me know if you can get these tests ordered - you may well be dealing with some things that can be resolved.
Sue

That is something I never put together…previous blood tests showed HIGH TPO levels. The last test (2019) TSH 3rd gen.?
was 6.79 & anti-TPO = 384. Could have something to do with metal ions ? I haven’t had another thyroid test since…due to COVID & everything else I personally was going thru. I guess when you’re not in your rite mind, those sort of things fall to the wayside ?

We didn't know it in 2011-2012 when I was going through it, even though the Hospitalist suspected a thyroid storm after my first replacement surgery, but it later became an issue in some lawsuits. Possibly worth checking into?

It did take me a bit more than a year to feel well after my revisions were all done. Unfortunately in addition to the temporary thyroid issue, I was left with a permanent "ditch" along my thigh where the metal collected and damaged tissue, and a permanent essential tremor.

My bad hips were only in place about 5 years.
Sue

That is not good news. I had a Bio-Met in (04).. it was 6 weeks after my last born, I had a 2 yr. old at home. Did visit a couple attorneys maybe 2 yrs. post. Got nothing. I thought it was me, I must be a weenie…I’ve always considered myself a strong person…I MUST be to go thru what i did / am still. What scares me most is that as I said previously (no Dr. would touch me…pole) here I am 16 (17) years later. It took a while to realize how much I’d changed….I don’t recognize myself anymore. It really makes me sad when I realize how much of my kids lives I’ve missed out on.
I feel like we were all cheated

We didn't know it in 2011-2012 when I was going through it, even though the Hospitalist suspected a thyroid storm after my first replacement surgery, but it later became an issue in some lawsuits. Possibly worth checking into?

It did take me a bit more than a year to feel well after my revisions were all done. Unfortunately in addition to the temporary thyroid issue, I was left with a permanent "ditch" along my thigh where the metal collected and damaged tissue, and a permanent essential tremor.

My bad hips were only in place about 5 years.
Sue

i have had my levels tested again 5 years after a hip revision. *-chromium level was 3.0 and cobalt levels were 1.0. both are a little over twice the upper limit of normal, is this a concern?

I'm not sure what is usual, when my blood was tested 1 year post-removal, my levels were near/just above upper limits of normal. They haven't been retested because I had no more symptoms. Are you still having problems?
Sue