Chromium blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Chromium is a metal that exists in different forms. Small amounts of the trivalent form occur naturally in foods such as whole grains, broccoli and meat, and it has been studied for a role in how the body handles insulin. The hexavalent form, used in industries such as chrome plating, welding stainless steel and leather tanning, is toxic and can damage the skin, airways, kidneys and liver.

Chromium and cobalt are also released in small amounts from some metal-on-metal hip and other joint replacements. The NHS monitors blood chromium and cobalt in people with certain implants, because rising levels can indicate wear of the joint and possible reactions in nearby tissue. A blood test shows how much chromium is circulating but does not distinguish between its forms.

The price includes the blood sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have a metal-on-metal hip or other joint replacement and want your levels checked.
• You work in chrome plating, welding, metal finishing or tanning.
• You take chromium supplements and want to know your level.
• You have symptoms your practitioner thinks could relate to metal exposure.
• Your orthopaedic surgeon or occupational health team has asked for chromium testing.

Understanding your result

Your report shows the laboratory reference range. A raised level suggests exposure from work, an implant or supplements, and the level helps your doctor decide whether further investigation is needed. For people with joint replacements, results are compared with national guidance and earlier readings, and a rising trend can matter more than a single figure. A low result is rarely significant, as true chromium deficiency is very uncommon.

Because chromium is widely used in equipment, contamination can affect metal tests, so an unexpected result may be repeated. A result outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis, and should be shared with your surgeon, GP or occupational health team.

Preparing for your test

No fasting is needed. Please stop chromium supplements and multivitamins containing chromium for at least 48 hours beforehand, if it is safe to do so. Tell us about any joint replacements and your work, including when you last worked with chromium. We use tubes suitable for trace metal testing.

Because metals are cleared by the kidneys, our kidney function tests are a helpful companion. If you take chromium for blood sugar, our HbA1c and diabetes tests give a clearer picture. See every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a chromium blood test in Chiswick?

The Chromium test costs £199 at Omnia Lifestyle in Chiswick. It includes the blood sample, accredited laboratory analysis, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report if requested.

Should people with metal hip replacements be tested?

Some metal-on-metal implants have NHS monitoring guidance that includes blood chromium and cobalt. Your surgeon can tell you whether your implant needs monitoring and how often.

Does chromium help with blood sugar?

The evidence is limited and mixed. Chromium supplements are not a recommended treatment for diabetes in NHS guidance.

Can the test tell harmful chromium from the safe form?

No. It measures total chromium in the blood, so your history of exposure helps interpret the result.