Cobalt, Whole Blood
Also known as: COBALT B
Use
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.
Special Instructions
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.
Limitations
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.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 5625-9
- 5625-9
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
3 or 6 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep)
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).
Storage Instructions
Transport at room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.
Causes for Rejection
Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Clotted specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Indefinitely |
| Refrigerated | Indefinitely |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |