Clinical use
Chromium testing is useful in monitoring patients with metallic prosthetic implant wear e.g. hip replacements, and detecting chromium exposure.
In June 21 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency released a medical device alert to annually monitor patients postoperatively after a metallic prosthetic implant and more frequently if the patient is showing symptoms of progressive soft tissue reaction to the wear debris associated with implants.
Background
Chromium in trace amounts influences sugar and lipid metabolism. While chromium is an essential element, cobalt deficiency has only been reported in humans in extremely rare cases with the patients usually on parenteral nutrition.
Chromium is not highly toxic, but large oral doses will produce adverse clinical manifestations. Haemolysis, renal and liver damage result from high levels of chromium in the blood.
Reference ranges
Chromium: Chromium levels greater than 4 ug/L (ppb) may be associated with metallosis (local guidelines)
Chromium urine: There is no reference range supplied but the result is expressed as umol/mmol creat.
Patient preparation
None required
Specimen requirements
Chromium: Whole blood – EDTA sample
Urine: Urine – Collect into a plain white top universal
Turnaround time
4 weeks
Additional Information
Chromium: To convert from nmol/L to ug/L (ppb):- Chromium x 0.052
Referred test
Referred test
Location
Trace Element Laboratory