Question
I have severe OA. In desperation I saw a D.O. in Baltimore who does not treat conventionally. He ordered a mercury level test as he feels this could be a cause of the arthritis. He does not accept medicare. Do you have any information on this?My primary care Dr. does not think this is necessary.
Answer
There is no credible evidence linking mercury to the development of osteoarthritis. It doesn’t matter that your unconventional doctor doesn’t accept medicare because medicare won’t pay for mercury levels to evaluate osteoarthritis.
