Metal Ion Level Testing
Info for Metal Ion testing
If you or your doctor suspects that your implant may be placed slightly off and/or you are experiencing a lot of unexplained pain, it is a good idea to have your metail ion levelschecked. Or you happen to have an implant that has been recalled like either the Zimmer Durom or the Depuy ASR, it migh be wise to get your levels tested. Usually the surgeons do not advise getting this test done until you are at least one year post op, but check with your doctor. Here is the test you need to ask for, print this out.
Metal Ion levels testing
From Dr. Edwin Su (this worked for me personally when I requested the test in 2009)
The metal ion test is usually outsourced to quest diagnostics. It does have to be done using special metal-free tubes to avoid contamination, but any quest should be able to do it. Order "Blood chromium and blood cobalt", and you will normally get results in 1-2 weeks. There will be some variability between the lab centers used, but I think that you can get some diagnostically useful results by doing it through quest or an equivalent lab center.
Cobalt 345 Serum
371513 random urine
Chromium 5248 serum
11278 random urine
Here are other codes available from public websites and I am in the process of getting more details on testing and what the nunber mean from Derek McMinn, which I will post here as soon as I receive the info. Please take note that I was told to stop all supplements for two weeks prior to my own personal test as many supplements contain minerals such as chromium in them. The lab technician should also be aware that they need to have > special tubes, etc. that do not contain any metal as to not give you a false reading of high levels when it is from the containers or excess supplements taken.
LabCorp - click on this to go directly to LabCorp's site
Chromium, Serum Test Number: 071522 CPT Code: 82495
Test includes: Chromium, urine; creatinine, urine; chromium:creatinine ratio
Cobalt, Plasma Test Number: 071506 CPT Code: 83018
Cobalt, Urine Test Number: 071514 CPT Code: 82570; 83018
Quest Diagnostics - click on links below to go directly to the Quest site for the codes
Chromum, Serum [5248X] 142373 - CPT Code(s): 82495 - Link to TEST code
Chromium Random Urine [11278X] 13787 - CPT Code(s): 82495, 82570- Link to TEST Code
Cobalt, S/P Serum [345X] 6519 CPT Code(s): 83018 - Link to TEST code
Cobalt, Urine [37513X] 37513 CPT Code(s): 83018 - Link to TEST code
From Tony Nargol, M.D. on converting your numbers
In simple terms results in nanmoles/L we convert to ppb = microg/L
CHROMIUM MULTIPLE BY 0.052
COBALT MUTLIPLE BY 0.059
: 1 IS THE BACKGROUND LEVEL OF IONS
:2 IS A WELL FUNCTIONING MOM HIP
:4-7 SUGGESTS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM ISTHE TYPICAL LEVEL FOR A TAPER PROBLEM
7 IS ABOVE mhra GUIDANCE AND IS HIGHLY ABNORMAL.
I WOULD EXPECT THE mhra TO PUT OUT ANOTHER GUIDANCE IN THE 3-7 AREA
AS MOST CENTRES AND SURGEONS ARE MISINTERPRETING THE GUIDANCE.
HOPE THIS HELPS
TONY