Cobalt, 24 Hour, Urine
Use
Useful for detecting cobalt exposure and monitoring metallic prosthetic implant wear. Not useful to assess vitamin B12 activity. Elevated urine cobalt levels may indicate prosthesis wear, with thresholds guiding interpretation (eg, ≥2.0 mcg/specimen for excess exposure; >5 mcg/specimen consistent with prosthesis wear; >20 mcg/specimen suggesting significant wear).
Special Instructions
Patient preparation includes avoiding collection for 96 hours post gadolinium or iodine-based contrast. Collection must use metal‑free containers (plastic, no metal cap or glued insert). Library of PDFs available: “Urine Preservatives‑Collection and Transportation for 24‑Hour Urine Specimens” and “Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport". Necessary information fields include 24‑Hour volume (mL).
Limitations
Interference may occur from high concentrations of gadolinium or iodine; specimen collection requires ultraclean, metal‑free procedures to avoid misleading elevated results. All specimens are evaluated for suitability; inadequate collection practices may invalidate results.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 29916-4
- 29916-4
- 13362-9
- 3167-4
Result Turnaround Time
2-8 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert; Submission: plastic 10‑mL urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Collection Instructions
Collect urine for 24 hours; refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of collection.
Patient Preparation
Avoid collection for 96 hours after gadolinium‑ or iodine‑based contrast media.
Causes for Rejection
Specimens evaluated for suitability; ultraclean metal‑free collection required.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |