high blood metal levels. cobalt 14ug and chromium 9.7ug

Posted by bwilk @bwilk, Jan 5 12:25pm

What can be done about these levels, Chelation therapy?

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@bwilk Those levels indicate you have a deteriorating prosthetic hip or knee.
The good news is there is a fix - revision to replace the chromium and cobalt elements of the implant. Then the body will eliminate the excess heavy metals through your blood, liver and urine.
The bad news is that excess chromium and cobalt have increasing effects on your body over time, and they can be serious. There is no effective chelation therapy for chromium and cobalt as long as more is being deposited by the implants.
Can you tell us a little more about when you got implants, what brand they are (if you know) and any symptoms that led you to be tested?
Sue

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I had high cobalt and chromium poisoning last year.

I just finished my second hip revision this year and will check on cobalt/chromium levels in 2 months. Unfortunately, there can be long term systemic effects on the body that usually cannot be reversed.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding long term effects of exposure. I ask every Doctor if they are aware of this issue. Only my Orthopedic Surgeon was aware.
I hope this person gets revisions done quickly.

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Thanks for replying back. The first Right hip surgery was done in 2010, then was revised in 2014. The implant is a Zimmer Kinectiv modular head with 54 continuum shell , 2 acetabular screws with 36 length elevated lip liner E-Poly. in March of 2023 I fall on the ice and tore the gluteus medius, this was found out with a MarsMRI and the implant appears to be set and solid. I also had a left shoulder done in 2001, this has become problematic. Did research to find out what brand of implant and found the Doctor that did the surgery has been retired and no longer lives in the states and also the the hospital where the surgery was done has no records past 2010, so info is not available. The shoulder is 23 years old this year, and is quite painful at time, so I do think it is the implant to be looked at, I have secured an appointment with an Ortho at NYU Lagone in Feb. But have been a past patient at Mayo, last time I was there was 2010. I also have both knees right knee done in 2016and revised in 2017 with Legion Tibial baseplate, Legion Hemi screws, Legion pressfit stem, and Genesis II Posterior stabilized articular insert. Left knee was done in 2018. Both knees were done at NYU Lagone and seem solid, will have them checked also. Just would like some thoughts if I am approaching this the right way, know my cobalt-chronium levels are way high. Lots to read and take in I really do feel it is the 23 years old hemi shoulder, it's gone well pass its fail date. Thanks Jonny Wilkens

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