I received 2 hip replacements and then developed cobalt & chromium.

@maureen716 There are 2 ways to measure cobalt levels, and different values are considered "normal". One is a plasma test (lower readings), the other a serum test (higher value). What I do know is that with implants, anything below 7 is considered acceptable without evidence of a degrading device. I found an old record after I wrote earlier. At the time of my first revision surgery, my cobalt level was over 70, at the second it was 29. One year later it was 6.

@sueinmn thanks for your help. I will talk to the dr and see if he can help me understand on the 28th. Will let you know what he says. Thanks again !

I am new to this thread. I had bilateral hip replacement in March and June. A few months later, I developed a rash on my thighs and arms. Could it be metalosis metal allergy? At first I thought bug bites so I tore apart my bedroom and disinfected everything. No change - but a clean room! Except for the initial spot, the rash is not itchy. The rash is still there. Ideas?

@mayo99824 It is extremely unlikely that you have metallosis, which is high levels of metals circulating in your blood from an extraordinary exposure. This is caused by excessive wear of metal-on-metal components, and those have very rarely been used in hips since about 2010 when the problem was discovered.

But another metal allergy is a possibility. You should talk to the orthopedic surgeon about the metals in your specific implants, and whether you can be tested for sensitivity to them.

Titanium and ceramic are the most commonly used materials in hip implants, and are not frequent allergens, so you might need to consider other possible causes as well - changes in things like detergents, softeners, body soaps and lotions, medications and even supplements could be considered as well.

I had metal on metal total hip replacement done on both hips one in 2007 and another in 2009. In 2013 I had a revision due to necrosis on one of the hips. After that surgery my cobalt and chromium levels in blood decreased somewhat. However I have had 2 different types of cancer. Breast cancer in 2011 and now neuroendocrine tumor in lung which is cancerous. I am having lung surgery to remove tumor in March. My last cobalt blood test in 2024 was 8.5 and chromium was 5.4. The medical oncologists and orthopedist have told me that they don't know if the excess cobalt and chromium is causing cancer. However I do know these metals are known carcinogens. I have had so many surgeries that having another total hip surgery after the lobectomy is worrisome. Does anyone know if there is another way to remove the excess cobalt and chromium beside surgery. Are there any toxicologists who could advise me?

@stephanieann Since you are working with an oncologist, I would suggest you ask them for a toxicology referral. They would be in a better position to answer whether the metallosis is a possible cause of your cancer.
I was told that chelation therapy to remove chromium and cobalt is a "band-aid" if the failing hip implant is not removed, as the wear will continue.

However when metal screws are used it is a gamble. No one ever mentions the screws. Even when stainles steel screws are used, there will be nickel in them. Unless "pure" titanium is used, there is danger of a allergic reaction to nickel
As someone nearly 1.5 years out from a THR, I nearly died, I've learned a lot about metal allergies. They test for metal allergies but that doesn't include nickel by default
The lesson is to make sure you know the details prior to surgery because revision surgery can be long, complicated, and requires advanced training to do them. If you don't you could have worse problems afterward
Not trying to scare anyone, but I care about anyone that may be looking at a THR.