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Symptoms of cobalt poisoning?
After 12+ years post THR have a diagnosis of cobalt poisoning. My level is 5.6 currently and I wonder what symptoms might be from long term exposure. Docs say that is too low to cause problems but I have spasms, loss of smell and other symptoms. What have others experienced?
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I have no recollection of the metal levels - it was 12 years ago, and began happening within one year of surgery, although my surgeon as well kept saying it was not an issue. Revision was done at 5 years, that was 11 years ago. As of this May the ortho says everything looks great, and I have never a problem with the new, titanium, ceramic & poly version.
Sue
My husband had bilateral hip replacements 25+ years ago. He had a revision in the right hip 16 years ago. He had a knee replacement Jan 2024. He now has cobalt levels rising. He's now at 6.8. He's got cognitive changes, physically weak, muscle atrophy, salt taste in his mouth non stop, and is getting worse daily. We've been to every doctor with no real answers. He's lost a lot of weight, and developed pancreatic insufficiency, which led to malnitrition. In Jan, he was hospitalized, and they began pancreatic enzymes, d, bs, and zinc supplements. He has no thyroid, and has always has it balance, suddenly. It's skyrocketed, and the fatigue is brutal.. He hasn't been able to work since January. I insisted they check his nutrients, which is how they found the deficiencies. I insisted they check cobalt/chromium, which is the only reason we know the numbers are rising. They just dismiss it, since he has no serious pain.
He feels like he's dying, and there isn't anyone that will take us seriously with the cobalt. Help. Please direct me somewhere.
@bamajules Do you know which implants your husband has? If so, you can look them up to see if they have been problematic.
Is the original orthopedic surgeon or his clinic still in practice?
Those are the first pieces you need. Next, imaging of the problem joint will show whether there is tissue deterioration- it may require more than an x-ray.
We're trying to find the info on the oldest joint. Xrays have been done, and there is wear, but no damage. The issue is the massive other symptoms. All align with cobalt, but they won't address it.