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 levels
checked.   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
Chromium, Urine  Test Number: 071530 CPT Code: 82495; 82570 
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