Replied by Hans (Bothell WW) on 08/27/2022
Prior to my wife's knee replacement surgery, she researched knee replacements online and found that many people had severe reactions to the device because of nickel and other metal allergies. She remembered that with nickel earrings she had a reaction. Thus we sent for a special metal sensitivity blood test overnighted it to Chicago. A Test cost eight years ago $500. But it was worth it. She tested off the charts for nickel and a few other metal allergies or sensitivities. Therefore, we had to elect for a different device from England that had no nickel in it. The results have been favorable.
The doctor was astonished at the extensive reporting on the blood test for all of the different types of metals. But his response was: none of my other patients would pay out-of-pocket for this. So he doesn't bring it up that they should do so and have an option. Here is a case of a doctor deciding that the patient should suffer by not knowing about such a blood test and metal sensitivities.
