Heavy metals blood test results for Metal on Metal hip joint

@tim11 - Welcome to Mayo Connect. There are a few of us out here who have been through the heavy metal issue with our hips.
Typical guidelines are less than 7ng/ml for Chromium and less than 5ng/ml for Cobalt. Sensitive individuals can experience issues at even lower levels.

However, it is not the amount of heavy metal, it is how it is affecting/can affect your body & your health. Heavy metals can cause bone, muscle, tendon, organ and nervous system damage. I had pain, weakness in the legs, a host of nervous system & thyroid issues 5 years post-implant. My leg muscles & tissue we damaged to the point the surgeon described it a "gray, lumpy oatmeal." 11 years later I have indentations along the sides of my thighs that never really filled back in.

If someone suggests "chelation therapy" to remove the metal from your blood, please don't believe it - the implant will continue to shed more metal as long as you have it.

So, the question is, what led you to be tested? If you have any symptoms, you need further evaluation, and probably replacement of the implants. My surgeons were able to replace the ball, acetabular cup & liner, but leave the titanium shaft in the femur.

What have the doctors advised so far?
Sue

Hi Sue,
My name is Jason Kraus. I had a metal on metal hip replacement nine years ago. Was a problem from the start, mostly pain in the joint. Fast forward almost a decade later my issues are dramatically worse, vision, tinnitus, clicking in my throat, dehydration, horrific headaches, brain fog, digestion, it goes on and on. I would love to talk with you as currently I am struggling to find help. I also came back with high iron and ferritin levels a few months ago out of the blue. I need as much information as possible. Please, please, please. Sincerely Jason

Hi Sue,
My name is Jason Kraus. I had a metal on metal hip replacement nine years ago. Was a problem from the start, mostly pain in the joint. Fast forward almost a decade later my issues are dramatically worse, vision, tinnitus, clicking in my throat, dehydration, horrific headaches, brain fog, digestion, it goes on and on. I would love to talk with you as currently I am struggling to find help. I also came back with high iron and ferritin levels a few months ago out of the blue. I need as much information as possible. Please, please, please. Sincerely Jason

Hmm...nine years ago very few metal on metal implants were being used. Do you know which ones you have? Your original surgeon should be able to tell you.

The metals you need to be concerned about are chromium and cobalt. Have you been tested for these?
Sue

Hi @jasonakraus, welcome. You'll notice that I removed your personal email address. Connect is a public forum. We recommend sharing personal contact information using the secure private message function. I might also add that by sharing here in the forum, you are connecting with several people where all can benefit from group support.

Thanks for answering. The urine test will be done tomorrow. The type is a Biomet Magnum. It’s definitely metal on metal. It appears ill timing on my part. I unfortunately have all the symptoms as well as others that were unexplainable until now. I was only 43 at the time. The promise of a return to my athletic form lead me to where I am now. I am using NAC currently and it seems to help but I know I need it out. Thoughts on who I can speak with at Mayo? I’ve been able through diet and exercise to stay in okay shape but the insomnia, headaches and at times dizziness make it harder every day.

Hi Sue,
My name is Jason Kraus. I had a metal on metal hip replacement nine years ago. Was a problem from the start, mostly pain in the joint. Fast forward almost a decade later my issues are dramatically worse, vision, tinnitus, clicking in my throat, dehydration, horrific headaches, brain fog, digestion, it goes on and on. I would love to talk with you as currently I am struggling to find help. I also came back with high iron and ferritin levels a few months ago out of the blue. I need as much information as possible. Please, please, please. Sincerely Jason

Thanks for answering. The urine test will be done tomorrow. The type is a Biomet Magnum. It’s definitely metal on metal. It appears ill timing on my part. I unfortunately have all the symptoms as well as others that were unexplainable until now. I was only 43 at the time. The promise of a return to my athletic form lead me to where I am now. I am using NAC currently and it seems to help but I know I need it out. Thoughts on who I can speak with at Mayo? I’ve been able through diet and exercise to stay in okay shape but the insomnia, headaches and at times dizziness make it harder every day.

Had rev. in 2020. I had almost 2 weeks post op…I was actually happy…started remembering things..All that 2 weeks of feeling glad to be alive!
A few days ago I scooched sideways on the couch…it felt like the metal inside was going to tear thru my skin. I feel like I’m lost in my house…this happened once…(the decision for rev). I woke up, couldn’t walk or relate! I was out of it…in la-la Land…not in a good way obviously.
Seems to be happening again…it started yesterday. I guess I’ll be “checked out” for ….who knows.
In my humble (not certified or a Pro) opinion, I think there was a small “sac” holding the “bad stuff” to keep it from flowing freely thru my body. I think it failed….just like dementia