Normal levels of cobalt in blood, derived from food and vitamins, should be below 1.8 micrograms/liter ( a microgram is one millionth of a gram).
Levels above 2.0 should be monitored, and above 5.0 is considered toxic.
Have you been tested for cobalt in your blood? Do you possibly have metal-on-metal hip implants, which is the most common cause of this concern?
Normal levels of cobalt in blood, derived from food and vitamins, should be below 1.8 micrograms/liter ( a microgram is one millionth of a gram).
Levels above 2.0 should be monitored, and above 5.0 is considered toxic.
Have you been tested for cobalt in your blood? Do you possibly have metal-on-metal hip implants, which is the most common cause of this concern?
Both hips have been replaced with metal on metal. I am going to ask for lab work. I had some tests years ago and it was high, but no one knew what to do about it. Is there some treatment available?
Normal levels of cobalt in blood, derived from food and vitamins, should be below 1.8 micrograms/liter ( a microgram is one millionth of a gram).
Levels above 2.0 should be monitored, and above 5.0 is considered toxic.
Have you been tested for cobalt in your blood? Do you possibly have metal-on-metal hip implants, which is the most common cause of this concern?
See my response above to @171 regarding the implications of high cobalt levels.
Have you been evaluated by your doctors for other evidence that the prosthetic is wearing and depositing debris near the implant? Are you having any symptoms?
Sue
See my response above to @171 regarding the implications of high cobalt levels.
Have you been evaluated by your doctors for other evidence that the prosthetic is wearing and depositing debris near the implant? Are you having any symptoms?
Sue
I do have debris deposit in my groin lymph nodes. But it appears to be cement or plastic. I have been checked out by my ortho doc, but no plan yet to address
So I had 2 hips replaced w/ Stryker COLBALT/Cr parts 8 yrs ago then 2 yrs later , the 2nd hip.
In 10/2021, I had back hip pain and the Ortho (my hip doc) took X-rays and blood tests, I was at 5.2, then 4.6 (2/2022) , then 4.7 (1/2023)
My cardio doc said yesterday , COLBALT levels are NOT good for the heart and cause other issues. I already have a low ejection fraction 45, had (a-Fib) 13 yrs. ago, had cardio ablation to fix , on meds now.
I have constant Tinnitus and memory has not been great recently (I'm 61)
I keep monitoring every 3 mos. but what should I do, get a lawyer !
So I had 2 hips replaced w/ Stryker COLBALT/Cr parts 8 yrs ago then 2 yrs later , the 2nd hip.
In 10/2021, I had back hip pain and the Ortho (my hip doc) took X-rays and blood tests, I was at 5.2, then 4.6 (2/2022) , then 4.7 (1/2023)
My cardio doc said yesterday , COLBALT levels are NOT good for the heart and cause other issues. I already have a low ejection fraction 45, had (a-Fib) 13 yrs. ago, had cardio ablation to fix , on meds now.
I have constant Tinnitus and memory has not been great recently (I'm 61)
I keep monitoring every 3 mos. but what should I do, get a lawyer !
Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are patients and caregivers who share our experiences. Mine was with a different brand of hip, and required replacement of both implants of 5 years to restore my health.
I have recently learned that how blood is tested can impact the results. The "gold standard" is to test the serum, not whole blood, for metal levels. Chromium should also be tested, and you should always have the same test, using the same lab.
Here is what I found about cobalt levels:
"Cobalt levels are determined by micrograms per liter of blood. If a patient has between 1-5 micrograms per liter, he might experience heart and memory issues. If there are more than 7, the patient might feel hip pain and have either tissue necrosis or pseudotumors. "
So with your symptoms and heart history, you may need a new revision surgeon if the original one doesn't see that you have a problem. Also, additional imaging will show if there is damage to the tissue surrounding your hip.
Don't back off - you will need to be your own advocate in this matter, but it will take work.
What, exactly did the ortho say about your pain and/or metal levels? And it is important to get the exact name of your implants from him to figure out your next best steps, as it has been shown over time that some have a much higher risk level than others.
Sue
Sue,
Thanks for getting back to me!, Yes the Cr levels failed also at 2.0 and I use the same lab (3X)
My surgeon wants to meet May 1st to talk about revision surgery/s
Mine is the STRYKER V40 Accolade (both)
Sue,
Thanks for getting back to me!, Yes the Cr levels failed also at 2.0 and I use the same lab (3X)
My surgeon wants to meet May 1st to talk about revision surgery/s
Mine is the STRYKER V40 Accolade (both)
I'm happy to hear that. I think, if I was you, I would also find out if any component was the subject of a recall, and whether Stryker will contribute to the cost of revision.
Sue
Hello
My age 56..femail
Ive done post hips sugery in two lage 23 years back
Two knee surgery already done... One 5 years back and second 4 month back
As per dr. Suggestion we done my blood report and found cobalt serum level high around 2.2 and
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Normal levels of cobalt in blood, derived from food and vitamins, should be below 1.8 micrograms/liter ( a microgram is one millionth of a gram).
Levels above 2.0 should be monitored, and above 5.0 is considered toxic.
Have you been tested for cobalt in your blood? Do you possibly have metal-on-metal hip implants, which is the most common cause of this concern?
Sue
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionBoth hips have been replaced with metal on metal. I am going to ask for lab work. I had some tests years ago and it was high, but no one knew what to do about it. Is there some treatment available?
My level tested in Sept 2021 was 4.5 and I have a knee mega prosthesis, with alot of metal and metal contact
See my response above to @171 regarding the implications of high cobalt levels.
Have you been evaluated by your doctors for other evidence that the prosthetic is wearing and depositing debris near the implant? Are you having any symptoms?
Sue
I do have debris deposit in my groin lymph nodes. But it appears to be cement or plastic. I have been checked out by my ortho doc, but no plan yet to address
So I had 2 hips replaced w/ Stryker COLBALT/Cr parts 8 yrs ago then 2 yrs later , the 2nd hip.
In 10/2021, I had back hip pain and the Ortho (my hip doc) took X-rays and blood tests, I was at 5.2, then 4.6 (2/2022) , then 4.7 (1/2023)
My cardio doc said yesterday , COLBALT levels are NOT good for the heart and cause other issues. I already have a low ejection fraction 45, had (a-Fib) 13 yrs. ago, had cardio ablation to fix , on meds now.
I have constant Tinnitus and memory has not been great recently (I'm 61)
I keep monitoring every 3 mos. but what should I do, get a lawyer !
Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are patients and caregivers who share our experiences. Mine was with a different brand of hip, and required replacement of both implants of 5 years to restore my health.
I have recently learned that how blood is tested can impact the results. The "gold standard" is to test the serum, not whole blood, for metal levels. Chromium should also be tested, and you should always have the same test, using the same lab.
Here is what I found about cobalt levels:
"Cobalt levels are determined by micrograms per liter of blood. If a patient has between 1-5 micrograms per liter, he might experience heart and memory issues. If there are more than 7, the patient might feel hip pain and have either tissue necrosis or pseudotumors. "
So with your symptoms and heart history, you may need a new revision surgeon if the original one doesn't see that you have a problem. Also, additional imaging will show if there is damage to the tissue surrounding your hip.
Don't back off - you will need to be your own advocate in this matter, but it will take work.
What, exactly did the ortho say about your pain and/or metal levels? And it is important to get the exact name of your implants from him to figure out your next best steps, as it has been shown over time that some have a much higher risk level than others.
Sue
Sue,
Thanks for getting back to me!, Yes the Cr levels failed also at 2.0 and I use the same lab (3X)
My surgeon wants to meet May 1st to talk about revision surgery/s
Mine is the STRYKER V40 Accolade (both)
I'm happy to hear that. I think, if I was you, I would also find out if any component was the subject of a recall, and whether Stryker will contribute to the cost of revision.
Sue
Hello
My age 56..femail
Ive done post hips sugery in two lage 23 years back
Two knee surgery already done... One 5 years back and second 4 month back
As per dr. Suggestion we done my blood report and found cobalt serum level high around 2.2 and