First test when….?

[spartykus]

Hi

Am exactly 14 months post op tomorrow, couldn’t be happier / more grateful with the result and what feels like a “second chance”.

Just wondered when you usually get tested first? After 12 months…?

I’m in UK, it was done on NHS.

[ahausheer]

Tested for what?  Metal in the blood?

Symptom free patients don't need to get tested.

[spartykus]

Sorry, yes, metal in the blood.

I am also not sure how you would know if there was an elevation of ions in the blood via symptoms. What would the symptoms be?

So assume there is a regular check up.

[petemeads]

3 years for me - and I had quite a job getting the most recent. NHS doctor's surgery said they could do it and sent off for the special needles, the nurse found the needles required special sample tubes so referred me to blood testing at the hospital. They were brilliant, painless, quick etc but they sent the results to another hospital where a surgeon (unknown to me, mine has retired) keeps the records. Took a deal of chasing over several months to finally get a message that my results were 'satisfactory'. Previous test gave the actual values for Chromium and Cobalt, now I don't know if things are getting better or worse. It is a difficult test and would be expensive privately. The 3 years comes from the MHRA after metal ions seemed to be a recurring theme in joint failure/pseudotumours etc., worth checking their website.