0099231
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Cobalt, Whole Blood

COBALT B
Example Reports
High
Normal

Icon

Specimen Collection and Handling

Ordering Recommendation

May be used in the assessment of occupational exposure or toxic ingestion.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation

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).

Collect

Royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 3 or 6 mL whole blood in the original collection tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Clotted specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Less than or equal to 3.9 µg/L

Interpretive Data

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.

Elevated results may be due to skin- or collection-related contamination, including the use of tubes that are not certified to be trace element free. If an elevated result is suspected to be due to contamination, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified trace element-free tube is recommended.

Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
07/21/2025
X
X
X
X
N/A

CPT Codes

83018

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Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0099231 Cobalt, Whole Blood 5625-9
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Blood cobalt concentration
  • Co
  • COB
Cobalt, Whole Blood