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Cobalt, Blood
Ordering Recommendation
May be used in the assessment of occupational exposure or toxic ingestion.
New York DOH Approval Status
Specimen Required
Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician).
Royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep).
Transport 3 or 6 mL whole blood in the original collection tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.
Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Clotted specimens.
Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Unacceptable
Methodology
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
1-3 days
Reference Interval
0.5-3.9 µg/L
Interpretive Data
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood cobalt, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.
Blood cobalt levels can be used in the assessment of occupational exposure or toxic ingestion. Symptoms associated with cobalt toxicity vary based on route of exposure and may include cardiomyopathy, allergic dermatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cough and dyspnea. Blood is the preferred specimen type for evaluating metal ion release from metal-on-metal joint arthroplasty.
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Hotline History
CPT Codes
83018
Components
| Component Test Code* | Component Chart Name | LOINC |
|---|---|---|
| 0099231 | Cobalt Blood | 5625-9 |
Aliases
- Blood cobalt concentration
- Co
- COB
